Recognizing a Tyrant

Symptoms by which you may recognize a tyrant:

1. Fears losing their position; actions driven by this fear
2. Attempts to rise above the rule of law
3. Does not accept criticism
4. Cannot be called to account for their actions
5. Does not listen to advice from those who do not curry favor
6. Prevents those who disagree from participating in politics

If any of this sounds familiar, we are in trouble. By definition, a democracy rejects tyranny in all its forms.

[Paraphrasing Paul Woodruff, First Democracy: The Challenge of an Ancient Idea]