Mass Dictatorship and the Modernist State by Roger Griffin
Roger Griffin's work explores how mass dictatorships emerged as responses to the crisis of modernity, introducing Max Weber's "ideal types" method. He identifies two ideal types: totalitarian and authoritarian mass dictatorships. Totalitarian dictatorships, like Hitler’s Germany, Mussolini's Italy and Stalin's Soviet Union, seek complete societal transformation. The leaders aim to suppress individual freedoms, enforce ideological unity and strive to create a "new man". People are to be molded into "new citizens" who share their ideals. The leaders justify using terror and propaganda to achieve a better future. In contrast, authoritarian mass dictatorships maintain to stabilize the existing social order without revolutionary changes. It is based on fear and repression and uses the illusion of mass involvement. Modernity brings a crisis of traditional values, often sparking reactions to create new ideological "canopies" that provide stability for people. During crises, "revitalization movements" often emerge to create a new social order when old rituals and values no longer work. These movements seek to form a "new community" based on old or reinvented values.
Populism and democracy in Africa by Alexander B. Makulilo
Makulilo discusses the growing role of populism in Africa and highlights populist leaders like Kikwete, Zuma, and Chiluba, who mobilize the "people" against elites. He notes that populism is often temporary and corrupt. The three Populist leaders use corruption, media, promises and national symbols to build followings. In South Africa, Zuma used nationalist and anti-colonial rhetoric to gain support. Populism in Africa is used for mass mobilization, it also risks fostering authoritarian tendencies when institutions are weak.