Introduction
The glorification of power in democracy signals a departure from the foundational values of civil liberty and institutional trust.
In a democracy, the true measure of progress is not how stern the hand of the state feels, but how secure and dignified its citizens live. Yet, in recent years, the glorification of power in democracy has led to a strange inversion of civic values — one where people find themselves applauding displays of executive arrogance, celebrating public humiliation, and confusing intimidation with efficiency.
Across many parts of India, videos of officials “disciplining” citizens — scolding, berating, even humiliating — go viral with alarming frequency. These clips often show powerful figures pointing fingers, making people stand in lines with folded hands, or issuing performative rebukes under the public gaze. What is most unsettling is how the glorification of power in democracy turns public misconduct into a source of applause.
This public reaction reinforces the glorification of power in democracy, signaling a dangerous cultural shift: authoritarianism is being repackaged as entertainment, and executive overreach is being romanticized as courage. The message is subtle but clear — governance through fear is being accepted, even desired.
Power as a Performance
Public servants are meant to serve, not perform. Yet what we increasingly see is a theatrical mode of governance, amplified by camera phones and media headlines. A district officer rebuking citizens becomes a “hero.” A bureaucrat enforcing rules with excessive force is seen as “tough.”
The glorification of power in democracy feeds a narrative that demands citizen submission, that “discipline” justifies all excesses. In the process, our democratic compact — where the state is answerable to the people — is quietly being reversed. The stage is now set for a culture where coercion becomes a celebrated virtue, overshadowing the more difficult but necessary work of participatory governance and institutional fairness.
This performative authoritarianism reinforces the glorification of power in democracy, creating a distorted reality where individuals in power are evaluated not on their commitment to constitutional principles, but on their ability to dominate or “teach lessons.” The implications are profound — respect for the rule of law gives way to admiration for brute willpower. What gets lost in the applause is the silent erosion of democratic norms.
These dangerous shifts are direct outcomes of the glorification of power in democracy, and aren’t accidental. They often emerge in response to structural inefficiencies. Frustrated by years of bureaucratic delay, judicial backlog, and rising insecurity, people become more receptive to forms of authority that promise immediate, visible action. The more dramatic the gesture, the stronger the public response.
And here lies the danger. The applause for stern, visible action is rarely accompanied by questions about proportionality or legality. Citizens begin to value outcome over process — a dangerous slope in any democracy.
Fear as Governance
This rising glorification of power in democracy through fear-based governance has deep roots in societal frustration. Disillusioned by corruption, delayed justice, and inefficient systems, people begin to crave “strong” leadership — even if it comes at the cost of dignity or legality. But strength without accountability is just authoritarianism in disguise.
Democracy cannot survive where fear thrives. When officials start acting like monarchs, and people learn to clap instead of question, the rule of law becomes the rule of men. The entire logic of democratic government is built on the understanding that power must be limited, checked, and transparent. When these foundations weaken, citizens no longer engage as free individuals; they react as subjects.
What makes this dynamic even more perilous is the selective use of fear. Often, those who bear the brunt of such public humiliations are from marginalized or economically weaker backgrounds. This establishes not only a regime of fear but also a hierarchy of worthiness — where some are deemed fit for dignity, while others are not. This erodes the very premise of equal citizenship.
The psychological consequences of being governed through fear are profound. It cultivates distrust, paranoia, and passive disengagement from civic life. Individuals stop speaking out. Communities grow silent. The chain of accountability, once broken, becomes harder to mend.
This performative authoritarianism represents a dangerous form of glorification of power in democracy, where fear replaces justice.
A Culture of Silence and Spectacle
Compounding the problem is the silence of political and institutional leadership. Instead of condemning such public misconduct, many reward it. Promotions, awards, and media space follow. The more dramatic the performance, the higher the praise. This fosters a culture where ethical, restrained governance is sidelined by spectacles that please the crowd but erode public trust.
Even more worrying is the entertainment value derived from public shame. The persecution of individuals — often poor, marginalized, or voiceless — becomes content for clicks. The powerful punish, and the public watches, laughs, and shares. This voyeuristic culture contributes to a collective moral decay.
Television debates and social media trends then reinforce these narratives, turning administrative overreach into prime-time drama. Entire discussions are framed around who was “right” or “wrong” in these videos, while larger questions about legality, ethics, and public accountability are conveniently ignored.
This spectacle reduces real people into props. It transforms governance from a duty into a performance, and citizens from stakeholders into spectators. The illusion of justice replaces the substance of it.
The normalisation of persecution also creates a chilling effect across professions — teachers, health workers, transport employees — everyone learns to perform for public applause, not public welfare.
Historical Echoes and Cultural Roots
India, like many postcolonial societies, has a complicated relationship with power. Centuries of colonial rule and hierarchical social structures have conditioned citizens to equate authority with superiority. The remnants of this mindset persist — from revering government officials as unquestionable figures to interpreting dissent as disobedience.
These cultural beliefs enable the glorification of power in democracy, which is often exploited by the powerful. Officials who assert control are not viewed critically but as protectors of order. A patriarchal mindset — one that associates power with aggression and silence with virtue — plays into this normalization.
Moreover, popular culture has done its part. Indian cinema frequently glorifies the “strongman” bureaucrat or police officer — someone who “bends the rules to get things done.” These characters become role models, reinforcing the notion that breaking protocol for the sake of instant justice is acceptable, even noble.
But democracy is not built on instant gratification. It is built on systems, rights, and responsibilities — none of which thrive in an atmosphere of unchecked authority.
Further complicating this is the generational divide. Younger audiences raised on algorithm-driven content are more vulnerable to clickbait spectacles and shareable authoritarianism. For them, state power isn’t abstract — it’s a series of viral moments.
The Digital Amplifier
Social media plays a significant role in amplifying the glorification of power in democracy, turning officials into viral idols.
Social media has become a double-edged sword. On one hand, it provides citizens a platform to expose injustice. On the other, it also sensationalizes and commodifies state overreach. Videos of public humiliation are clipped, shared, and boosted by algorithms designed to reward outrage. In this process, the dignity of individuals becomes collateral damage.
The internet’s instant validation further emboldens those in power. Officials begin performing not for justice, but for virality. This creates a dangerous cycle — performative discipline is a prime example of the glorification of power in democracy, often leading to viral praise., which incentivizes more such displays, gradually pushing ethical lines further back.
The absence of meaningful oversight online, coupled with declining media ethics, ensures these spectacles face little scrutiny. Instead of asking whether the act was legal, proportionate, or humane, audiences ask: “Did it go viral?”
Digital spectatorship, in this form, is not passive. It reshapes real-world power relations. Those being watched feel stripped of agency. Those watching feel licensed to judge. And those in power learn to play to the gallery, not the law.
Consequences for Democracy
The normalization of authoritarian behavior in democratic societies is not a temporary concern. It has long-term implications that weaken the democratic fabric from within:
- Delegitimization of Institutions: As power becomes personified in individual officers rather than in systems, trust in institutions erodes. Courts, legislatures, and grievance mechanisms are perceived as weak or redundant.
- Suppression of Dissent: Citizens are discouraged from questioning authority for fear of reprisal. Whistleblowers, activists, and journalists operate under heightened threats.
- Marginalization and Fear: Minority communities and economically disadvantaged groups become easy targets, leading to increased alienation and systemic inequality.
- Reduced Civic Engagement: A climate of fear discourages public participation. People retreat from political processes, feeling their voices no longer matter.
- Cultural Decline: The widespread acceptance of such governance styles fosters a generation that grows up believing that power must be feared, not questioned.
- Educational Undermining: Schools and universities lose their role as spaces of debate and inquiry, turning instead into factories of obedience and silence.
The Role of Media and Civil Society
The media must reclaim its critical role as a watchdog of power. It must stop celebrating authoritarian gestures and return to investigating and analyzing them. Civil society organizations need to challenge the normalization of fear-based governance and support those affected by it.
Educational institutions and public discourse must emphasize democratic values — the importance of dissent, the necessity of fairness, and the dignity of each citizen. We need a cultural shift where humility in power is respected more than theatrical displays of control.
Civic education, from school curriculums to mass awareness campaigns, must highlight stories of ethical leadership — those who lead with transparency, humility, and courage. These stories are harder to tell but far more valuable to society.
A Call to Political Responsibility
Political leaders have a moral duty to speak up. Their silence enables and emboldens those who cross ethical boundaries. They must promote a vision of governance rooted in service, not superiority. Legislation must be updated to include accountability measures for executive overreach. Internal disciplinary mechanisms should be strengthened and made transparent.
Above all, leaders must remember: a society that governs by fear can never be truly free.
Public accountability starts with transparency — regular town halls, grievance redress mechanisms, and open-door policies. Citizens must be seen not as obstacles to administration but as participants in governance.
Reimagining Governance
It is time to reimagine the public servant — not as a ruler to be feared, but as a guide to be respected. We need a model of leadership that is empathetic, responsive, and accountable. Modern governance must be about building trust, not enforcing obedience.
Imagine a culture where officials are celebrated for resolving issues through dialogue rather than domination. Where public confidence stems not from spectacle, but from fairness. Where citizens feel heard, not humiliated.
That is the promise of democracy. And that is what we must reclaim.
Conclusion
The increasing glorification of power in democracy and authoritarian behavior in democratic societies represents more than a trend — it is a threat. It challenges the very spirit of democracy by shifting power from institutions to individuals, from law to charisma, from justice to performance.
We must wake up to the fact that fear, once normalized, is hard to reverse. We must recognize that silence in the face of unethical conduct is complicity. And we must remind ourselves that in a democracy, those in power must never become the people’s fear — they must remain the people’s service.
We must resist the glorification of power in democracy and reaffirm the principles of dignity, accountability, and people-centered governance.
Because democracy, at its heart, is not about ruling others. It is about empowering them.
