It’s a politician who rules a country with total authority.

Often, dictators take power by force. Or rig elections so they’re sure to win!

Dictators are therefore political leaders that the people did not choose freely: that means the country is a dictatorship and not a democracy.

How can dictators still be in power?

Firstly, they really want to hang onto power. Like Julius Caesar! In ancient Rome, the dictator’s mission was to fix a crisis in 6 months.

When Julius Caesar was named, he gave himself a 10 year mandate, then became dictator for life!

Secondly, by making people afraid. It’s quite effective but sometimes not enough to protect them.

In the spring of 2011, demonstrators in Tunisia and Egypt risked their lives to get rid of their countries dictators.