History Main / GloriousLeader

The Glorious Leader is a political outsider who uses romantic and idealist rhetoric to hide some malevolent agenda. He talks lovingly about the GoodOldWays and/or the [[NewEraSpeech great new age he will bring about]], and every other sentence out of his mouth is a NewEraSpeech. Bonus points if he fingers some other group of outsiders as The Enemy, blaming them for the [[CrapsackWorld degenerate modern era]], or decides the country ought to go to war on some implausible pretext just to prove its military strength.

** In [[Anime/AfterWarGundamX After War]], Seidel Rasso of the Space Revolutionary Army preaches that all spacenoids will become part of the Newtype MasterRace and plans to wipe out what remains of humanity on Earth, and brutally kills anyone who disagrees with his doctrine of genocidal conquest [[spoiler:like the entire colony of Satelicon and his trusted aide Nicola]].

* ''Manga/Overlord2012'': Ainz is this to the population of Nazarick, through no fault of his own (as the only guild member to be present in the game's final hours, the denizens look on him as a benevolent god). Later, he's established as the savior of a kingdom with one of the people he saved starting a literal cult devoted to him. Again, Ainz is totally out of his depth and has no idea that he's being worshipped by humans (he already has enough trouble keeping his people's worship under control).

* President Berzelius "Buzz" Windrip of Sinclaim Lewis' ''It Can't Happen Here'', later adapted as ''Series/{{V 1983}}''. And by extension Charles Lindbergh as presented in Philip Roth's ''The Plot Against America'' (Roth's novel is a SpiritualSuccessor).

* In Octavia Butler's ''[[Literature/ParableOfTheSower Parable]]'' series, a dystopian United States elects Reverend Andrew Steele Jarrett, a radical preacher who eventually leads a crusade against all non-Christians and other undesirable groups, blaming them for the devastation of the economy and using them as a scapegoat to unite the people against.
* ''Franchise/StarWarsLegends'': In the ''Literature/JediAcademyTrilogy'', Daala is sickened by the ranks and self-promotions the warlords have invented and/or given themselves. This, combined with other reasons, results in Daala ending the EnemyCivilWar and uniting the imperial military.

The TropeCodifier, of course, is UsefulNotes/AdolfHitler. Other examples: [[Series/DoctorWho Mr. Saxon]], [[Franchise/StarWars Darth Sidious]], tyrannic leaders all throughout the 20th century, UsefulNotes/OttoVonBismarck, UsefulNotes/JosefStalin, and UsefulNotes/MaoZedong have been accused of being this/portrayed this way (although there is room for debate about whether these portrayals are strictly speaking accurate). However, although this trope became much more common in fiction after UsefulNotes/WorldWarII, it did not originate in the 20th Century. Various usurper Kings -- or other rulers who were viewed as coming by their position through illegitimate means -- throughout history have also been portrayed this way by their contemporaries (regardless of whether the facts actually support this portrayal). Particularly [[UnfortunateImplications if female]]. Similarly, in myth and fantasy fiction alike: usurpers or rulers viewed as otherwise illegitimate are almost always this trope. If a ruler is this without being a usurper or otherwise illegitimate: then expect him/her to be [[DemonicPossession corrupted by or tricked into being the puppet of some other entity]].

* The ancient Greeks called this form of government a Tyranny. In their political phraseology "Tyranny" meant not necessarily rule by TheCaligula, but rule by an autocrat who rules based on [[AsskickingEqualsAuthority force]] and popular sentiment rather than by RoyalBlood (who could of course be TheCaligula but was often just a MagnificentBastard). Such rulers were common in UsefulNotes/AncientGreece and some were well-liked and reasonably good at their job. In any case, the Ancients were quite familiar with Glorious Leaders, making this OlderThanFeudalism.

* The ''Franchise/{{Gundam}}'' franchise has had more than a few of these.
** The Universal Century timeline alone saw EvilPrince [[Anime/MobileSuitGundam Gihren Zabi]], IronLady [[Anime/MobileSuitZetaGundam Haman]] [[Anime/MobileSuitGundamZZ Khan]], [[TeensAreMonsters evil teenager]] [[Anime/MobileSuitGundamZZ Glemmy Toto]], and AcePilot [[Anime/MobileSuitGundamCharsCounterattack Char Aznable]] try to fill this role for the Principality of Zeon and the various Neo-Zeonic movements, while DarkMessiah [[Anime/MobileSuitZetaGundam Paptimus Scirocco]] aimed to be this for the Earth Federation. Expect a lot of talk about humans on Earth [[ArcWords being weighed down by gravity]].

* The AntiChrist in ''Literature/LeftBehind''. Though his rise to power completely ignores [[CaughtUpInTheRapture the Rapture occurring less than two weeks ago]] and is even in complete contradiction to the supposed off-screen record crime waves. He just becomes the head of the United Nations and says it would be nice if every nation would destroy or hand over all their weapons to him so there can be world peace. [[IdiotPlot This works.]]

The whole world's going to hell. Crime, corruption, moral degeneration, and a soft, weak government that can't do a thing to help. In comes this guy, promising to end all that--and [[GullibleLemmings being the idiots we are]], we [[PresidentEvil elect him]], or at least [[DayOfTheJackboot wildly applaud his coup d'état]]. Once he seizes power, he may become TheGeneralissimo.

The TropeCodifier, of course, is UsefulNotes/AdolfHitler. Other examples: [[Series/DoctorWho Mr. Saxon]], [[Franchise/StarWars Darth Sidious]], tyrannic leaders all throughout the 20th century, UsefulNotes/OttoVonBismarck, UsefulNotes/JosefStalin, and UsefulNotes/MaoZedong have been accused of being this/portrayed this way (although there is room for debate about whether these portrayals are strictly speaking accurate). However, although this trope became much more common in fiction after UsefulNotes/WorldWarII, it did not originate in the 20th Century. Various usurper Kings-or other rulers who were viewed as coming by their position through illegitimate means-throughout history have also been portrayed this way by their contemporaries (regardless of whether the facts actually support this portrayal). Particularly [[UnfortunateImplications if female]]. Similarly, in myth and fantasy fiction alike: usurpers or rulers viewed as otherwise illegitimate are almost always this trope. If a ruler is this without being a usurper or otherwise illegitimate: then expect him/her to be [[DemonicPossession corrupted by or tricked into being the puppet of some other entity]].

* The AntiChrist in ''Literature/LeftBehind''. Though his rise to power completely ignores [[CaughtUpInTheRapture the Rapture occurring less than two weeks ago]] and is even in complete contradiction to the supposed off screen record crime waves. He just becomes the head of the United Nations and says it would be nice if every nation would destroy or hand over all their weapons to him so there can be world peace. [[IdiotPlot This works.]]

* William Kraft in ''Literature/{{Victoria}}'' is a rare ''heroic'' example of this. Kraft, a right-wing ideologue, uses a deft combination of reactionary agitation, moving public displays and political intrigue to seize power in the fledgling [[TheRepublic Confederation]], whereupon he proceeds to implement his revolutionary agenda. A small but extremely brutal purge of about a hundred and fifty political enemies is his first major executive action, followed by various similarly ruthless acts of national consolidation and limited wars with neighboring states. However, while Kraft's methods are often portrayed as unsavory, the ultimate moral of the story is that they are also ''[[DirtyBusiness necessary]]'' to secure the new state. By the time he passes away decades later, he is remembered very fondly by the people as [[FounderOfTheKingdom the father of their nation]].

* ''TabletopGame/CallOfCthulhu'' campaign ''The Fungi from Yuggoth''. The Brotherhood of the Beast plans to cause worldwide disaster so its leader can step in, save the world and be made President of the U.S. (and eventually ruler of the world).

* Scholar Visari of ''VideoGame/{{Killzone}}'', of which the Helghan race is based off the Nazis.
* ''Franchise/StarWarsLegends'': [[BlackKnight Darth Revan]] has more then a few elements of this in ''VideoGame/KnightsOfTheOldRepublic'', especially considering how loyal his followers tend to be to him and/or his ideals [[spoiler:even in the sequel, when he's been gone for at least five years.]] Well, his followers who aren't [[TheStarscream Malak]], at any rate. Of course, Malak proceeded to (try to) set up his own cult of personality, although he was somewhat overshadowed by Revan even then. And the big honkin' tombs of the dead Sith Lords of Korriban suggests this is something of a tradition.

* The ancient Greeks called this form of government a Tyranny. In their political phraseology "Tyranny" meant not necessarily rule by TheCaligula, but rule by an autocrat who rules based on [[AsskickingEqualsAuthority force]] and popular sentiment rather then by RoyalBlood (who could of course be TheCaligula but was often just a MagnificentBastard). Such rulers were common in UsefulNotes/AncientGreece and some were well liked and reasonably good at their job. In any case the Ancients were quite familiar with Glorious Leaders, making this OlderThanFeudalism.

* Any head of state who relies heavily on personal charisma, populist support and promises of sweeping change will inevitably be accused of being, or at least being in danger of becoming, this trope by the people who voted for the other guy. Those accusations are usually (but not always, as the above examples prove) greatly exaggerated.

The whole world's going to hell. Crime, corruption, moral degeneration, and a soft, weak government that can't do a thing to help. In comes this guy, promising to end all that--and [[GullibleLemmings being the idiots we are]], we [[PresidentEvil elect him]], or at least [[BlackShirt wildly applaud his coup d'état]]. Once he seizes power, he may become TheGeneralissimo.

[[quoteright:330:[[Franchise/GIJoe https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/VoteCobraCommander_3739.jpg]]]]
[[caption-width-right:330:[-Surprisingly, he's favored even by the voters he hasn't threatened to turn into snakes.-] ]]

%% One quote is sufficient. Please place additional entries on the quotes tab.

The TropeCodifier, of course, is UsefulNotes/AdolfHitler. Other examples: [[Series/DoctorWho Mr. Saxon]], [[Franchise/StarWars Darth Sidious]], tyrannic leaders all throughout the 20th century, UsefulNotes/OttoVonBismarck, UsefulNotes/JosefStalin, and UsefulNotes/MaoZedong have been accused of being this/portrayed this way (although there is room for debate about whether these portrayals are strictly speaking accurate). However, although this trope became much more common in fiction after UsefulNotes/WorldWarII, it did not originate in the 20th Century. Various usurper Kings-or other rulers who were viewed as coming by their position through illegitimate means-throughout history have also been portrayed this way by their contemporaries (regardless of whether the facts actually support this portrayal). Particularly [[UnfortunateImplications if female]]. Similarly, in myth and fantasy fiction alike: usurpers or rulers viewed as otherwise illegitimate are almost always this trope. If a ruler is this without being a usurper or otherwise illegitimate: then expect him/her to be [[ThePossessed corrupted by or tricked into being the puppet of some other entity]].

The TropeCodifier, of course, is UsefulNotes/AdolfHitler. Other examples: [[Series/DoctorWho Mr. Saxon]], [[Franchise/StarWars Darth Sidious]], tyrannic leaders all throughout the 20th century, UsefulNotes/OttoVonBismarck, UsefulNotes/JosefStalin, and UsefulNotes/MaoZedong have been accused of being this/portrayed this way (although there is room for debate about whether these portrayals are strictly speaking accurate). However, although this trope became much more common in fiction after WorldWarII, it did not originate in the 20th Century. Various usurper Kings-or other rulers who were viewed as coming by their position through illegitimate means-throughout history have also been portrayed this way by their contemporaries (regardless of whether the facts actually support this portrayal). Particularly [[UnfortunateImplications if female]]. Similarly, in myth and fantasy fiction alike: usurpers or rulers viewed as otherwise illegitimate are almost always this trope. If a ruler is this without being a usurper or otherwise illegitimate: then expect him/her to be [[ThePossessed corrupted by or tricked into being the puppet of some other entity]].

The TropeCodifier, of course, is UsefulNotes/AdolfHitler. Other examples: [[Series/DoctorWho Mr. Saxon]], [[Franchise/StarWars Darth Sidious]], tyrannic leaders all throughout the 20th century, UsefulNotes/OttoVonBismarck, UsefulNotes/JosefStalin, and UsefulNotes/MaoZedong.

** On the other hand, even in a democracy, a particularly charismatic leader can attract adulation that goes beyond normal loyalty and respect. Some of her backbench MP's seriously suggested that anyone who thought UsefulNotes/MargaretThatcher was less than perfect, or that she was only normally human and could be wrong, was committing an act of treason. This was an attitude shared by some UsefulNotes/BritishNewspapers such as the Daily Mail[[note]]A newspaper that openly supported Hitler right until the outbreak of war in 1939[[/note]]. Similarly, UsefulNotes/TonyBlair attracted such adoration and worship from the backbench MP's known as the "Blair Babes", women who would cut their own right hands off rather than criticise The Leader, that they became derisively known as Film/TheStepfordWives. Also witness the way UsefulNotes/DonaldTrump is even now so idolised by his supporters that they see no wrong in him. And dare we mention the fanatical support and hard-core followers of deposed Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn? People like UsefulNotes/BenitoMussolini were voted into power in what were, to begin with, democracies.