The Dictators Contest

April 11, 2003 10:15 AM

The Dictators Contest "Back by popular demand is the Original Dictators Contest. 16 of the last century's most fearsome autocrats have been selected and pitted randomly against one another to compete for the title Dictator of Dictators". If you don't see your favorite Dictator, try The Second Dictators Contest. Agree with their results? Did they forget anyone?
posted by Mack Twain (5 comments total)

Some pretty engaging writing--I like the tone of horrified amusement (amused horror?). My favorite, from the first round of the 1st contest, Pinochet vs. Bokassa:

Admittedly over three thousand people were disappeared in the early years of [Pinochet's] regime and if you continued to cling to socialism in Chile you were probably in for a hard time but the austerity paid off, and the General himself was remarkably honest. In contrast Bokassa had the nerve to declare himself an Emperor. Oh, and this, the clincher: he. ate. dead. babies.
posted by mr_roboto at 10:44 AM on April 11, 2003

I didn't see Handsome Dick on either of those lists.
posted by britain at 11:01 AM on April 11, 2003

Saddam decided to take on the rest of the world in 1990 when he invaded his southern neighbour Kuwait. Despite the mauling that brought he remains in power and now seems immovable.

Well, he is immovable.
posted by stbalbach at 11:09 AM on April 11, 2003

I didn't see Handsome Dick on either of those lists.

For some reason, I don't think Americans were eligible. Great link, nevertheless.

p.s. I have the original LP of Go Girl Crazy! right here on the shelf behind me as I type.
posted by LeLiLo at 11:13 AM on April 11, 2003

Two theories:

1. The nastier the dictator, the cooler the hat.

2. General Leopoldo Galtieri was really Spencer Tracy.
posted by iconomy at 12:11 PM on April 11, 2003