Political Tyranny in Brief: Essence, Effects, and Pathways to Reform

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Political Tyranny in Brief: Essence, Effects, and Pathways to Reform
By: Assefa Leake Gebru(PhD)
Mekelle University-College- CLG
Department of Political Science
Tyranny and its Effect
A tyrannical political party is characterized by authoritarian governance under the control of a
single leader or a group of leaders who wield absolute power and suppress opposition. These
leaders rule with cruelty and injustice, prioritizing their own interests over citizens' welfare. This
type of leadership involves the absence of democratic processes, systematic human rights
violations, media control, censorship, and a relentless focus on consolidating power. The core
features of a tyrant political party include the absence of democratic processes, systematic human
rights violations, censorship, media manipulation, and a focus on consolidating power above all
else. Tyrant leaders within such parties wield absolute power through oppressive means,
suppressing dissent, manipulating media, and stifling political opposition to maintain their grip on
power. These parties prioritize their own interests over citizens' welfare and support the leader's
authoritarian rule through propaganda, censorship, and control of state institutions.
Political tyranny has pervasive effects on a nation's socio-economic, political, and security affairs.
It suppresses civil liberties, restricts economic opportunities, undermines democratic governance,
perpetuates authoritarianism, and leads to human rights abuses. Economic stagnation, social unrest,
and conflict can arise from the suppression of opposition and mismanagement of resources. Ruling
elites engage in corruption and human rights abuses without being held accountable, leading to
international sanctions, condemnation, and strained diplomacy that exacerbate economic hardship.
Political practices of this nature are prevalent in the political arenas of Africa, Asia, and the Middle
East. The following examples showcase political parties that have retained power for prolonged
durations amid allegations of tyranny and authoritarianism, leading to multifaceted repercussions
on their populations. One example of a political party with a long tenure in power that has been
criticized for its authoritarian tendencies is the Communist Party of China, which has ruled the
country since 1949. The party's control over the government and its suppression of dissent have
led to accusations of tyranny and human rights abuses. Notwithstanding for its democratic deficit,
CCP had made praiseworthy task of economic development unforeseen in the entire history of
China. The People's Democratic Party of Tajikistan has maintained its hold on power since the
nation's independence in 1991, drawing criticism for its authoritarian governance and suppression
of political dissent. Similarly, the Ba'ath Party in Syria, under the leadership of Hafez al-Assad
and later his son, Bashar al-Assad, ruled for over four decades, facing allegations of running a
repressive regime and violating human rights.

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In Burundi, the National Congress for the Defense of the People (CNDD-FDD) has remained in
power since the conclusion of the Burundian Civil War in the early 2000s. The party has been
accused of perpetrating human rights violations, stifling political opposition, and tightly
controlling the country's political and security structures. Furthermore, the Zimbabwe African
National Union - Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) has held power in Zimbabwe since its independence
in 1980. Led by Robert Mugabe until 2017 and later by Emmerson Mnangagwa, the party has
faced widespread allegations of authoritarian practices, electoral manipulation, and human rights
transgressions. The TPLF, founded in the mid-1970s as a Marxist-Leninist insurgent group, was
instrumental in overthrowing the military regime in 1991 and subsequently became dominant
within the EPRDF coalition. During its time in power, the TPLF and EPRDF faced accusations of
authoritarianism, human rights abuses, and suppressing political opposition. Critics alleged that
the TPLF and allies used repressive tactics to stifle dissent and control the population. Nearly after
three decades of its rule, TPLF/EPRDF faced significant challenges, including widespread protests,
unrest, and internal dissent resulting to a forced measure of reforms that ultimately sidelined the
TPLF from its once-dominant position. In 2020, tensions between the TPLF and central
government escalated, leading to a devastating war in Tigray. As a result, the TPLF's influence
and power have significantly diminished nationally but remain strong locally in Tigray along its
authoritarian tendencies intact.
The Perpetual Grip: Understanding Tyrants’ Reluctance to Relinquish Power
Tyrants often harbor a strong desire to cling to power for several compelling reasons. One primary
motivation is their personal ambition, driven by an insatiable thirst for wealth, influence, and
privilege that they fear losing once they step down from authority. Additionally, tyrannical leaders
may be haunted by the specter of retribution, as they could potentially face prosecution for the
numerous acts of corruption, human rights violations, and other crimes they committed during
their reign. Furthermore, the desire for control plays a significant role in their reluctance to
relinquish power. These leaders are often driven by an overwhelming need to shape the political,
economic, and social landscape of their nation in the long term, cementing their legacy and imprint
on the country's future trajectory. Another critical factor that contributes to their aspiration to die
in power is the lack of trust in potential successors. Tyrants often lack confidence in those who
would follow them, fearing instability and chaos that could ensue once they depart from their
position of authority. This lack of faith in successors further solidifies their determination to
maintain a firm grip on power until the very end.
Forward Strategy
Pathways to escape from tyranny encompass a range of strategies, including international pressure
exerted through sanctions and isolation to compel democratic reforms. Additionally, internal

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opposition can be fostered through civil society, political groups, and grassroots movements to
build momentum for reform. Negotiated settlements can offer safety in exchange for relinquishing
power, while institutional reforms can strengthen democracy, the rule of law, and accountability,
facilitating peaceful transfers of power. The transition often necessitates a combination of internal
and external pressure, negotiation, and a clear process for transferring power.
In conclusion, political tyranny poses a significant threat to democratic governance, stemming
from authoritarianism, human rights abuses, censorship, and media manipulation. The detrimental
impact of tyrannical regimes on societal well-being is evident in the suppression of civil liberties,
limited economic opportunities, and social unrest. Nevertheless, there are viable pathways to
reform, including international pressure, internal opposition, negotiated settlements, and
institutional reforms to fortify democracy. By leveraging a combination of internal and external
pressures, negotiations, and a transparent power transfer process, it may be possible to transition
from tyranny to democracy. While the road to reform may be arduous, the rewards of achieving a
freer and more democratic society are undoubtedly worth the effort.