The Trumprinzip is Alive and Well
In the end, dictators all die. It is we, the people, who live on forever
The single most salient feature of autocracy is all societal control under a single leader, personified by the French “Sun King’s” quote about himself:
L’etat c’est moi [I am the state]. -- Louis XIV, King of France (1643 to 1715)
Louis XIV reigned a long time ago. The world is much more familiar with a more modern version of a dictator who thought he alone had the answer to every question that faced his society.
The Führerprinzip
The Führerprinzip (Leader Principle) was a key ideological concept in Nazi Germany, central to the totalitarian structure of the state under Adolf Hitler. The principle essentially emphasized absolute, unquestioned authority in the hands of a single leader, the "Führer," or Leader. It held that Hitler had ultimate authority over all aspects of governance, military, and society. He was not just the head of state but the embodiment of the will of the people, and his decisions were seen as infallible.
He was not the only dictator with similar delusions.
“His Excellency, President for Life, Field Marshal Al Hadji Doctor Idi Amin Dada, VC, DSO, MC, Lord of All the Beasts of the Earth and Fishes of the Sea and Conqueror of the British Empire in Africa in General and Uganda in Particular.” Idi Amin, President of Uganda’s Full Self-Title (1971–1979)
“The Emperor is a living god.” — The Japanese Empire’s position on the status of Emperor Hirohito
“When the president does it, that means it is not illegal.” – former US President Richard Nixon justifying why he couldn’t be impeached for illegal acts subverting democracy
“He who saves his Country does not violate any Law.” Donald Trump, February 15, 2025 social media post
“I alone can fix it.” -- Donald Trump, 2016 Republican National Convention.
“When somebody is the president of the United States, the authority is total.”
— Donald Trump, April 2020, during a COVID-19 briefing.
“I have the right to do whatever I want as president.” -- Donald Trump, July 23, 2019, at the Turning Point USA summit
Hierarchy and Obedience
The Führerprinzip emphasized strict hierarchy within the Nazi Party and the German state. Below the Führer, there would be a series of subordinate leaders who exercised authority within their spheres, but all decisions flowed from Hitler himself. Subordinates were expected to carry out orders without questioning or resistance.
“I trust no one, not even myself.” Former Soviet dictator, Iosef Stalin, 1924 to 1953
“I am the flail of God. If you had not committed great sins, God would not have sent a punishment like me upon you.” – Mongol “Universal Leader” Genghis Khan (1206 to 1227)
"If Donald Trump says 'jump three feet high and scratch your head,' we all jump three feet high and scratch our heads." – Congressperson Troy Nehls (R-TX)
Rejection of Democracy
The Führerprinzip rejected democratic ideas like popular sovereignty or checks and balances. In its place, it promoted the idea that leadership should be centralized, with the Führer serving as the unquestioned authority, a reflection of the Nazi belief in strong, autocratic leadership.
“The truth is that men are tired of liberty.” -- Benito Mussolini, fascist dictator of Italy (1922–1943)
“There is freedom of speech, but I cannot guarantee freedom after speech.” Idi Amin, President of Uganda (1971–1979)
“Democracy is like a train: you get off once you reach your destination.” Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Authoritarian President of Turkey
“Ideas are more powerful than guns. We would not let our enemies have guns, why should we let them have ideas?”
“The people who cast the votes decide nothing. The people who count the votes decide everything.”
“You bring me the man, I’ll find the crime.”
“Death is the solution to all problems. No man — no problem.”
-- Former Soviet dictator, Iosef Stalin, 1924 to 1953
In her book Oath and Honor, Liz Cheney recounts that on January 6, 2021, as Trump was attempting a coup to subvert the democratic will of the American people and illegally hold on to power, Republican Congressman Mark Green of Tennessee reportedly referred to Donald Trump as “Orange Jesus.” According to Cheney, this occurred in the GOP cloakroom as members were signing electoral vote objection sheets. Green allegedly muttered, “The things we do for the Orange Jesus,” as he signed the papers.
Mobilizing the Masses
The Führerprinzip concept also had a propagandistic element, as it encouraged the idea that Hitler was a "great leader" and the only person capable of leading Germany to greatness. This helped solidify Hitler's control over the people, making him a symbol of national unity and strength.
“Chávez is not me anymore. Chávez is a people. Chávez, we are millions.” — Former Venezuelan dictator Hugo Chávez
In practice, the Führerprinzip meant that German society was not run by institutions or democratic processes, but by Hitler’s personal decisions, supported by his inner circle of Nazi elites. It helped consolidate his dictatorship and was a key feature of Nazi governance.
This principle was also utilized to justify acts of violence, repression, and the complete dismantling of individual rights, as everything was subordinated to the will of the Führer. It had a devastating impact, leading directly to policies that caused immense harm, including the persecution of Jews, political opponents, and other marginalized groups, as well as the horrors of World War II and the Holocaust.
“Unlimited power in the hands of limited people always leads to cruelty.” — Soviet dissident Alexander Solzhenitsyn
The People, and Their Institutions, Go on Forever
In the end, all dictators -- be they Louis XIV, Amin, Hitler, Hirohito, Stalin, Nixon, Hirohito, Erdogan, Ghenghis Khan, Chavez, Mussolini or Trump -- die, either by the hands of their own people, their enemies or natural causes.
Often, it is not soon enough that tens millions have to die from their conceits.
Today, in a world full of dictators -- such as Xi, Putin, Erdogan, Khamenei, Kim Jong Un, Netanyahu and Trump – how many have to die before they run their course?
That question can only be answered by us.
Indeed, it us up to us.
In the end, dictators all die. It is we, the people, and our institutions, who live on forever.