Tyranny is a horrible thing that the world has suffered throughout history. Even in these times of relative prosperity and freedom, we must remember the cruelty and oppression of true tyranny. Indeed, it’s important not to call just any authority figure we dislike a “tyrant.” By misusing the term, we risk repeating history and welcoming in real tyranny.
In this article, I’ll clearly define what tyranny is. Further, I’ll provide you with a Litmus Test that will identify what tyranny is and what it is not. I’ll also give 10 examples of real tyrants who had absolute power, like Hitler, Chairman Mao, and Stalin. Furthermore, I’ll explain why these cruel and oppressive people were true tyrants.
Tyranny – What Is It?
People often carelessly use the words “tyranny” and “tyrant” to describe any authority figure they dislike. For instance, if you don’t like a politician, you might call them a tyrant like Hitler. But why do we do this? Indeed, I think it’s because many definitions of tyranny include the word “unfair.” So, it’s easy to label any authority figure a tyrant if you think they’re being unfair. For example, a teenager might call their parents tyrants because they feel they’re being treated unfairly. Positively, the concept of “unfair” is broad and subjective. For example, the saying “life is unfair” might be true to some extent, but it’s very subjective.
Hence, I believe we should be more selective in using the term “tyrant.” Indeed, we need to tone it down and not mislabel people just because we do not like them or we find them unfair. So, what we need is a more precise definition and maybe a test to determine who is truly a tyrant and who is not. Below are some suggestions.
1. A Better Tyranny Definition with Example.
First, I like Vocabulary’s definition and example of Tyranny where it emphasizes the words “repressive” and “cruel“. Further, this definition does not use the subjective term, “unfair“.
“Tyranny is a noun that describes a repressive and arbitrarily cruel regime.”
2. A More Precise Definition of a Tyrant.
Also, below is a tyrant definition that is narrower in scope emphasizing “absolute power” and “brutally”, and not using the more subjective term, “unfair”.
“a ruler who exercises absolute power oppressively or brutally”.
3. A Litmus Test to Determine Tyranny or Not.
Also, a good Litmus Test to identify a tyranny is called the “town square test” as described by Natan Sharansky. Specifically, this Litmus Test measures tyranny as follows:
“if a person cannot walk into the middle of the town square and express his or her views without fear of arrest, imprisonment, or physical harm, then that person is living in a fear society, not a free society.”
Indeed, tyranny is not just unfair, it has absolute power and exercises it absolutely in an oppressive and cruel manner. Further, at its essence a tyranny is totally against a free society where persons can hold counter views to the authority in power.
Examples of Tyrants.
Based on the tyranny and tyrant definitions above, here are some examples of tyranny that have occurred through history and across the world.
1. Nazi Germany, Led by Adolf Hitler.
Indeed, Hitler’s tyranny led to the persecution and extermination of Jews, Gypsies, and communists. Additionally, his rule caused the repression and deaths of socialists, trade unionists, homosexuals, Jehovah’s Witnesses, common criminals, and others in concentration camps during World War II.
2. Caligula’s Reign of the Roman Empire.
Here, Caligula led a campaign of sadism, extravagance and sexual perversity during his short reign as emperor of the Roman Empire.
3. Maximilien Robespierre’s French Revolution.
Specifically, Robespierre was a highly principled leader, but his actions turned him into a tyrant. For example, his use of the guillotine led to the systematic killing of his enemies in order to realize his ideals.
4. Oliver Cromwell’s Military Dictatorship over England.
Unquestionably, Cromwell led the Roundheads in making repressive religious rulings that led to the deaths of anyone apposing his rule to include royalty and Catholics.
5. Idi Amin’s Tyranny in Uganda.
Idi Amin was responsible for the persecution and murder of intellectuals, officers and judges. Further, his tyranny extended to the brutal destruction of entire villages.
6. The Reign of Ivan the Terrible in Russia.
Here, Ivan VI carried out mass executions and murdered thousands of people. Namely, he was paranoid, a sadist, and had a violent temper.
7. The Reign of Kim Jong-il in North Korea.
Indeed, the repressive regime of Kim Jong-il was characterized by torture, public executions, and a reign of terror.
8. The Reign of Belgium King Leopold II Over Congo.
This colonial reign of terror was responsible for brutal atrocities (the “Congo Horrors”) against the population of the Belgian Congo.
9. Mao Zedong’s Cultural Revolution in China.
During the tyranny of the Culture Revolution, Chairman Mao led efforts to banish most of the intellectuals from universities to the countryside to be re-educated and perform manual labor.
10. Stalin’s Dictatorship in Russia.
Lastly, Joseph Stalin’s tyranny was responsible for systematic executions and forced labor in Gulag labor camps.
For more examples of tyranny throughout the world, see Adducation’s Worst Dictators and Tyrants – All Time List and TheCultureTrip’s 11 Cruelest Tyrants From History. Also, let’s start being more selective in our use of the term, “tyrant”, less we forget what a real tyrant is. Indeed, by misusing the term, we risk repeating history and welcoming in real tyranny.
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