Final answer:
Individuals may choose a dictator for stability during crisis, the promise of improved living conditions, or because of the leader's charisma. Dictators maintain power through fear, economic and military control, and sometimes manipulate public support through compulsory demonstrations of loyalty.
Step-by-step explanation:
People may choose and have a dictator for a leader for various complex reasons. Dictators often rise to power during periods of crisis, promising stability, direction, and a solution to the populace's problems. They capitalize on the desire for strong leadership and exploit it to establish themselves firmly in control. Some dictators may be seen as charismatic leaders, possessing a personal appeal that convinces their subjects of their special abilities or authority. Historical figures like Kim Jong-Il and Kim Jong-Un are examples of this type of charismatic dictatorship.
In a dictatorship, the dictator holds absolute authority and often employs military might, intimidation, and brutality to maintain control, especially when the population is vulnerable. Figures like Joseph Stalin and Adolf Hitler used fear and intimidation to enforce their rule. On the contrary, so-called 'benevolent' dictators, such as Napoleon or Anwar Sadat, are sometimes credited with improving their nation's standard of living, resulting in some public support.
Totalitarian dictatorships are even more oppressive, seeking to control all aspects of life, including personal beliefs and family life. In such regimes, citizens may be compelled to show support through public demonstrations, further cementing the dictator's power.