Development of Autocratic Systems

Abstract

In today's turbulent environment, many people have the tendency to turn to autocratic forms of leadership. In this article the inherent logic in the development of autocratic systems is highlighted. Five stages of development are discussed: the rise of a visionary leader, the establishment of boundaries and roles, the division of labor, the closing of the external boundary, the struggle for power, and the eventual implosion of the system. On the basis of the similarities and differences with the development of democratic systems, five rules for preventing autocracies are formulated.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Sari van Poelje

Drs. Sari J. van Poelje, a Certified Transactional Analyst (organizational), is a lecturer in the Department of Human Resource Management at the University of Tilburg and a freelance organizational consultant and trainer in The Netherlands. She is also vice president of the European TA Association and actively involved in TA research and in developing TA for organizational consulting.