[Bread-Baking Typewriter] Introduction to Dictators from Suspicious Times

Introducing 19 Dictators Including Hussein, Nixon, and Gaddafi
A Guide to the Rise and Fall of Typical Dictators

The rise of dictators was mostly spectacular. They were revered as heroes and received enthusiastic support from the public. In times of chaos, they promised reform and a new future. However, none had the courage to relinquish power once it was in their hands. Instead, their greed only grew. Ultimately, most were disgracefully ousted from their thrones.

A meaningful book has emerged in these suspicious times. The new release is titled Chased-Out Power Holders. This book serves as a kind of 'introduction to dictators.' It deals with the rise and fall of various power holders who collapsed due to arrogance and corruption in modern world history.

The author sheds light on the process of power acquisition and downfall of 19 dictators, from Bashar al-Assad of Syria to Hosni Mubarak of Egypt. Although their eras and nationalities differ, their downfalls share common traits. They appear as heroes and write myths, but eventually become trapped by those very myths. The subsequent process is predictable. They ignore the truth and dismiss frank advice. They only heed flattery and praise. They fiercely deify themselves and ultimately become slaves to their own myths.

What is even more frightening is that there are still people who follow these fallen figures, justifying their mistakes. The 'history of blind faith' repeats across eras and generations. A stark example of this occurred last year at an Italian professional soccer stadium. When Romano Mussolini, the great-grandson of dictator Mussolini, scored his first professional goal, the crowd collectively chanted "Mussolini" and gave fascist salutes. The author commented, "It is bitter that Italians still admire and vividly remember fascist Mussolini."

This phenomenon is not unique to Italy. Recently, similar scenes have been broadcast live in our country amid martial law situations. What lessons should we learn from the typical downfall of dictators and the bloodstains they left in history? Why does history repeat itself? Unfortunately, the author does not delve deeply into these questions. Nor does he clearly explain the criteria or background for selecting the dictators. The book simply lists various dictators and focuses on introducing their life stories.

Of course, this book is not an academic paper. Thoroughly examining the 'dictatorship equation' and analyzing the psychology and production process of 'dictator followers' is the scholar’s role. Even so, this kind of 'introduction to dictators' can provide us living in reality with warnings and lessons. Just looking into history helps us predict our future. Nevertheless, there remains a regret that the book could have contained a deeper analysis.

The book concludes with a warning about contemporary power holders. The author recalls that on December 3rd last year, the day martial law was declared, the question "Why on earth?" came to mind. He emphasizes that any power holder must be able to answer this simple question. He points out, "If one cannot properly answer even this question, it is a strong signal that they are already on the path of dictatorship," and adds, "No further explanation is needed about how that dictatorship ended."

The author, Park Cheon-gi, graduated from Seoul National University’s Department of Spanish Language and Literature and Hanyang University Graduate School of Media and Communication. In 1994, he joined KBS as a producer (PD), creating various radio programs including cultural, documentary, and music shows. His major works include Live Broadcast Today, Roaming the Streets, Yvonne’s Volume Up, and Uhm Jung-hwa’s Music Plaza.

Chased-Out Power Holders | Written by Park Cheon-gi | Deperance | 284 pages | 18,800 KRW