Desire for Strong Leaders

In a recent survey of some 51,000 households in 34 nations, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development found that just “over half the respondents from former Soviet states also thought a return to a more authoritarian system would be a plus in some circumstances” (The Guardian, December 13, 2016). One researcher commented, pointing to the U.S. election and Brexit as other examples, that “the survey showed people’s appreciation of democracy and open market economics was wavering” and that currently “in most of our countries the majority doesn’t seem to prefer democracy over authoritarian rule” (ibid.). It should be sobering that people who have enjoyed the “freedoms” of Western societies are looking for the stability that stronger controls once seemed to provide. However, the lesson of history is that authoritarian leaders also brought much oppression and suffering.

Bible prophecies reveal that Jesus Christ is going to return and rule “with a strong hand” (Isaiah 40:10-11), and His government will bring peace and justice to the peoples of the world (Isaiah 9:6-7). He will not be elected by voters, but will be placed on His throne by the Almighty God (Revelation 11:15). To learn more about where this desire for a strong leader will lead, read “One ‘Strongman’ to Rule Them All?”