Big man (political science)
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- Big man syndrome and bigmanism redirect here. For the "big man" concept in anthropology, see Big man (anthropology).
A big man, big man syndrome, or bigmanism, within the context of political science, refers to corrupt and autocratic rule of countries by a single person. Africa has produced the most examples of these regimes by far, but the term can be used to describe any nation with a dictatorial ruler. Uganda's Idi Amin and Zaïre's Mobutu Sésé Seko are examples of leaders to whom this description has been applied. The Monitor newspaper uses this phrase in the context of the succession of Kenyan leader Daniel Arap Moi:
- This change of guard has so much resonance with all of us in Africa. First of all, we have so many leaders (including President Moi) who simply hang onto power for too long. From Guinea to Malawi, Libya to Namibia, the Big Man syndrome is alive and well. Once a man has been in power, either by force or through the ballot, he thinks he must stay there forever.
[edit] Notes
- ^ From The Monitor, quoted in "No Moe Moi", June Thomas, Slate, December 30, 2002
