The idea that the more power one individual leader wields, the more we should be impressed by that leader is an illusion. Where corners are cut because one leader is sure he knows best, problems follow, and they can be on a disastrous scale, according to Archie Brown in his book The Myth of the Strong Leader: Political Leadership in the Modern Age. The book examines the leadership styles of a large range of political leaders including dictators and democratic leaders.
My full review of the book is available at my business book reviews website.