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Dictators and Despots

Episode 3 of 4

David Olusoga examines fifty years of 主播大秀 documentary archives to try and discover why dictators can have such a powerful appeal and asks if our fascination has fed their power.

In recent years the world has become an unsettling place, from the mass movements of refugees to political upheaval, both in this country and abroad.

Disturbingly, history shows that it's at unsettled times like these that dictators can rise - leaders who promise they can solve every problem, if only they're granted supreme power.

David Olusoga examines fifty years of 主播大秀 documentary archives to try and discover why dictators can have such a powerful appeal.

David uncovers the surprising optimism felt by the West towards men like Gaddafi and Mugabe early in their regimes, and examines the events that turned this optimism into horror. He questions why such men continue to fascinate us regardless of their actions, and asks whether, especially in an age of mass media, our fascination has fed their power.

1 hour

Music Played

Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes

  • 00:13

    Craig Armstrong

    Glasgow

  • 00:23

    Aldina Duarte

    Assinatura: Arte Do Fado, Pt.2

  • 00:39

    Keith Jamieson

    Truckies of Australia

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter David Olusoga
Participant Jan Plamper
Participant Joanna Lewis
Participant Alex von Tunzelmann
Executive Producer Emma Parkins
Producer Andy Webb
Director Andy Webb
Writer Andy Webb
Production Company 360 Production

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