Leadership versus Autocracy

What is the difference between a leader and a dictator?  A leader identifies goals and objectives, explains them to the people and to the legislators that must enact laws to support those goals, then works to build consensus to legitimize those laws and objectives.  If compromises are necessary to build broad support, then a leader will make those compromises and negotiate a course that may not be exactly what he or she originally desired.

This is the process that has more or less been the method of presidential leadership and congressional lawgiving over the course of our nation’s history.  Change has generally been incremental, sometimes frustratingly so.  But given the nature of a divided populace and the underlying passions of the people, incremental change is the safest and most effective method of governance.

 

A dictator, on the other hand, does not seek consensus.  He does not attempt to reconcile the wide diversity of opinions and positions.  He does not respect or acknowledge the opposition’s point of view.  He is convinced that his objectives must be achieved at any cost. He is neither willing to compromise nor engage in negotiations or even discussion.  He will go to the extremes of his power to suppress dissent or steamroll over opposition.  

 

If a leader has to make difficult choices and cut back programs or let people go, he does it delicately and with empathy.  A dictator does it gleefully, without a trace of respect or compassion.  

 

The lack of leadership and the cruel, vindictive approach that Trump and Musk have demonstrated in their first weeks of power are not only horribly divisive, but they are completely out of step with the long history of progress and improvement by negotiation and consensus in the United States.  They are especially egregious considering that Trump won by a tiny margin and both the house and senate have tiny Trumpian majorities.

Changes that are made at the point of a gun are not likely to stand the test of time.  Trump and Musk will lose their luster even among their most ardent supporters.  They have already earned the enduring enmity of at least half of the country.