Why do tyrants crave loyalty more than love? Why do they all end up surrounded by liars? And what happens when a dictator starts believing his own propaganda? Frank Dikötter gives a fascinating look at how modern dictatorships are built—and why they always collapse from within.
Pick up a copy of “How to Be a Dictator: The Cult of Personality in the Twentieth Century” by Frank Dikötter now: https://www.hoover.org/research/how-be-dictator-cult-personality-twentieth-century?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=sos&utm_content=10302025
To learn more about Andrew Roberts’ podcast, Secrets of Statecraft, visit: https://www.hoover.org/publications/secrets-statecraft-andrew-roberts?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=sos_youtube&utm_content=10302025
__________
The opinions expressed on this channel are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Hoover Institution or Stanford University.
© 2025 by the Board of Trustees of Leland Stanford Junior University.
🔔 Subscribe for more discussions: @HooverInstitution
👍 Like and share this video!
🌐 Follow us on social media:
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HooverInstStanford
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hoover-institution-at-stanford-university
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/hooverinstitution
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hooverinstitution
• X: https://www.twitter.com/HooverInst




















