The Secret Life of Dictators with Frank Dikötter | Hoover Institution

Video Description

Why do tyrants crave loyalty more than love? Why do they all end up surrounded by liars? And what happens when a dictator starts believing his own propaganda? Frank Dikötter gives a fascinating look at how modern dictatorships are built—and why they always collapse from within. Pick up a copy of "How to Be a Dictator: The Cult of Personality in the Twentieth Century" by Frank Dikötter now: https://www.hoover.org/research/how-be-dictator-cult-personality-twentieth-century?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=sos&utm_content=10302025 To learn more about Andrew Roberts' podcast, Secrets of Statecraft, visit: https://www.hoover.org/publications/secrets-statecraft-andrew-roberts?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=sos_youtube&utm_content=10302025 __________ The opinions expressed on this channel are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Hoover Institution or Stanford University. © 2025 by the Board of Trustees of Leland Stanford Junior University. 🔔 Subscribe for more discussions: @HooverInstitution 👍 Like and share this video! 🌐 Follow us on social media: • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HooverInstStanford • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hoover-institution-at-stanford-university • Instagram: https://instagram.com/hooverinstitution • TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hooverinstitution • X: https://www.twitter.com/HooverInst