STM Blog
Firing civil servants and dismantling government departments is how aspiring strongmen consolidate personal power – lessons from around the globe
The reshaping of government under Trump and Musk reflects a broader authoritarian trend, targeting bureaucracy to eliminate opposition and consolidate power, akin to tactics used by leaders like Erdoğan and Orban.
Erica Frantz, Michigan State University; Andrea Kendall-Taylor, Yale University, and Joe Wright, Penn State
With the recent confirmations of Tulsi Gabbard and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. – two of the most controversial of President Donald Trump’s high-level administration nominees – the president’s attempt to remake government as a home for political loyalists continues.
Soon after coming to office for a second term, Trump aggressively sought to overhaul Washington and bring the federal government in line with his political agenda. He is spearheading an effort to purge the government’s ranks of people he perceived as his opponents and slash the size of long-standing bureaucratic agencies – in some instances dismantling them entirely.
At the helm of much of this is businessman Elon Musk, who is not only the world’s richest man but also the largest donor of the 2024 election and the owner of multiple businesses that benefit from lucrative government contracts.
Musk – and a small cohort of young engineers loyal to him but with little experience in government – descended on Washington, announced their control over multiple government agencies, fired career civil servants, and even strong-armed access to government payment systems at the Treasury Department, where the inspector general had just been sacked.
This unprecedented sequence of events in the U.S. has left many observers in a daze, struggling to make sense of the dramatic reshaping of the bureaucracy under way.
Yet, as researchers on authoritarian politics, we understand it is no surprise that a leader bent on expanding his own power, such as Trump, would see the bureaucracy as a key target. Here’s why.
Dismantle democracy from within
A well-functioning bureaucracy is an organization of highly qualified civil servants who follow established rules to prevent abuses of power. Bureaucracies, in this way, are an important part of democracy that constrain executive behavior.
For this reason, aspiring strongmen are especially likely to go after them. Whether by shuffling the personnel of agencies, creating new ones, or limiting their capacity for oversight, a common tactic among power-hungry leaders is establishing control over the government’s bureaucracy. Following a failed coup attempt in 2016, for example, Turkish President Reccep Tayyip Erdoğan fired or detained as many as 100,000 government workers.
In the short term, greater executive control over the bureaucracy gives these leaders a valuable tool for rewarding their elite supporters, especially as diminished government oversight increases opportunities for corruption and the dispersion of rewards to such insiders. Erdoğan, for example, by 2017 had worked to fill lower-level bureaucratic positions with loyalists of his party, the AKP, to ensure the party’s influence over corruption investigations.
In the long term, this hollowing out and reshaping of the bureaucracy is part of a broader plan in which aspiring autocrats usurp control over all institutions that can constrain them, such as the legislature and the courts. As we document in our book, “The Origins of Elected Strongmen,” attacks on the bureaucracy constitute a significant step in a larger process in which elected leaders dismantle democracy from within.
Take control of bureaucracy
The seemingly bizarre series of events that have transpired in Washington since Trump came to power are highly consistent with other countries where democracy has been dismantled.
Take Benin, for example. Its leader, Patrice Talon – one of the wealthiest people in Africa – came to power in democratic elections in 2016.
Soon after taking control, Talon created new agencies housed in the executive office and defunded existing ones, as a means of skirting bureaucratic constraints to his rule. The central affairs of the state were in the hands of an informal cabinet, initially led by Olivier Boko, a wealthy businessman considered to be Talon’s right-hand man despite not having any official position in government.
Talon and his inner circle used this control over the state to enrich themselves, turning the country into what one journalist referred to as “a company in the hands of Talon and his very close clique.”
Consolidating control over the bureaucracy was just one step in a larger process of turning Benin into an autocratic state. Talon eventually amassed greater power and influence over key state institutions, such as the judiciary, and intervened in the electoral process to ensure his continued rule. By 2021, Benin could no longer be considered a democracy.
Purge civil service
A similar dynamic occurred in Hungary. After governing relatively conventionally for one term, Prime Minister Viktor Orban was defeated in elections in 2002. He blamed that outcome on unfriendly media and never accepted the results as legitimate.
Orban returned to office in 2010, bent on retribution.
Orban ordered mass firings of civil servants and put allies of his party, Fidesz, in crucial roles. He also used the dismantling of bureaucratic constraints to pad the pockets of the elites whose support he needed to maintain power.
As a Hungarian former politician wrote in 2016, “While the mafia state derails the bureaucratic administration, it organizes, monopolizes the channels of corruption and keeps them in order.”
Likewise in Venezuela, President Hugo Chavez had his cronies draw up a blacklist of civil servants to be purged for signing a petition in support of a referendum to determine whether Chávez should be recalled from office in 2004; government employees who signed were subsequently fired from their jobs.
More than a decade later, Nicolas Maduro, Venezuela’s current leader, would conduct his own purge of civil servants after they signed a petition to hold another recall referendum. After multiple rounds of government and military purges, Maduro was able to overturn an election he lost and jail his opponents, knowing full well the judges and generals would follow his orders.
Foster culture of secrecy and suspicion
Orban and Chavez, like Talon, were democratically elected but went on to undermine democracy.
In environments where loyalty to the leader is prioritized over all else, and purges can happen at a moment’s notice, few people are willing to speak up about abuses of power or stand in the way of a power grab.
Fostering a culture of secrecy and mutual suspicion among government officials is intentional and serves the leader’s interests.
As a World Bank report highlighted in 1983, in President Mobutu Sese Seko’s Zaire, now Democratic Republic of Congo, the bureaucracy had been “privatized by the ruling clique,” creating a climate in which “fear and repression … prevented any serious threat from dissenting groups.”
When leaders gain full power over the bureaucracy, they use it to reward and punish ordinary citizens as well. This was a tried-and-true tactic under the PRI’s rule in Mexico for much of the 20th century, where citizens who supported the PRI were more likely to receive government benefits.
In short, when aspiring autocrats come to power, career bureaucrats are a common target, often replaced by unqualified loyalists who would never be hired for the position based on merit. Recent events in the U.S., as unprecedented as they may seem, are precisely what we would expect with the return of Trump, a would-be autocrat, to power.
Erica Frantz, Associate Professor of Political Science, Michigan State University; Andrea Kendall-Taylor, Distinguished Practitioner in Grand Strategy, Jackson School of Public Affairs, Yale University, and Joe Wright, Professor of Political Science, Penn State
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Community
4 Ways to Preserve Veterans’ Stories for Future Generations
Family stories, photographs, letters and memories all have a place in the broader story of humanity, but if they aren’t recorded and preserved, they can fade over time. Consider these ways to help the veterans in your life preserve their stories and leave their mark on history. Preserve Veterans’ Stories for Future Generations
4 Ways to Preserve Veterans’ Stories for Future Generations
(Feature Impact) History is built from stories and memories, which is why it’s important to listen to the people who were there as the world changed. Family stories, photographs, letters and memories all have a place in the broader story of humanity, but if they aren’t recorded and preserved, they can fade over time.
Because more than 70 years have passed since the Korean War ended, opportunities to hear firsthand accounts from earlier conflicts grow fewer as time passes. Veterans and their families may be able to help record stories and lessons from “The Forgotten War” that might otherwise be lost.
You don’t need to be a historian to help preserve your loved ones’ memories and experiences. Programs like the Library of Congress Veterans History Project are dedicated to collecting stories from people like Private First Class Robert Lawrence Barber, who wrote regular letters home to his mother while serving in Korea. They paint a harrowing picture of combat, exhaustion, cold, fatigue and the stark realities of war that should never be forgotten. Experiences away from combat can be equally revealing, from daily routines and friendships to unexpected challenges.
Consider these ways to help the veterans in your life preserve their stories and leave their mark on history.
Start the Conversation Now
When it comes to recording memories, time is of the essence, especially for those who served in Korea. Decades may have passed, but each day makes a difference. Sit down with your loved one and gently start the conversation. You don’t have to get the entire backstory at once, but you can begin asking questions about their military experience and give them time to gather their thoughts.
Record Their Story
How a story is told can add dimension to the story itself. An audio or video recording preserves your loved one’s voice, expressions and emotions along with their words, giving your family memories to look back on for generations. Choose a quiet, comfortable space and test the equipment before recording.
Consider Preserving the Story Beyond Your Family
Family stories are most meaningful to those who know and love the storyteller, but they also matter to the world. Sharing veterans’ stories – including difficulties and ordinary moments – offers others a firsthand view of military life. Libraries and oral history archives may be able to preserve qualifying material for a wider audience.
“We want all stories, not just those from the foxhole or the battlefronts, but from all veterans who served the United States in uniform,” said Monica Mohindra, director of the Veterans History Project. “What did they hear? What did they see? What did it mean to them?”
If you have oral history interviews, and/or original photographs, letters or other records, consider contributing them to be archived and made accessible to future generations. Staff members are available to help you curate and select physical materials to contribute to the nation’s library.
Give Old Photos and Letters Context
Brush the dust off those old photo albums, scrapbooks and memory boxes because they may contain tangible pieces of history. A photograph, letter or piece of memorabilia could be what a veteran needs to bring fuzzy memories back into focus – whether it’s seeing the face of an old comrade or reading a letter written home. That gives you the opportunity to hear new stories and fill in context.
Learn more, discover veterans’ histories and find instructions for contributing veterans’ stories at loc.gov/vets.
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock (man looking at photo album)
Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress (group of soldiers)
SOURCE:
Library of Congress Veterans History Project
Rod's Pure Thoughts
Remembering Patrick Stewart: A Star Trek Journey Through My Life
Remembering Patrick Stewart: From childhood adventures with Kirk to finding another favorite captain in Picard, Rod Washington reflects on Patrick Stewart, the Next Generation cast, and the creativity they inspired.
From childhood afternoons with the original Enterprise crew to the reunion in Picard, Star Trek has been part of my life for decades. Patrick Stewart helped make that journey unforgettable.
Remembering Patrick Stewart
The news of Sir Patrick Stewart’s passing has me thinking about how much of my life has had Star Trek somewhere in the background—and often right in the foreground.
Star Trek: The Original Series has been my favorite since I was in single digits. Kirk, Spock, McCoy and the rest of that crew were part of my childhood. Long before there was a Captain Picard, that was my Enterprise.
Then came the motion-picture era with the original cast. The Wrath of Khan arrived during my teenage years. The Voyage Home followed in my young adulthood. As I grew up, those familiar characters kept coming back with new adventures.
Then we got a new Enterprise and a new generation.
A New Crew Earned Its Place
When Star Trek: The Next Generation began, my reaction was something like, “It’s okay.”
I continued watching. I was curious, but I already had a strong attachment to the original crew. That kind of connection takes time to build.
By the end of the first season, though, I was crazy about The Next Generation.
Patrick Stewart had a lot to do with that. His portrayal of Jean-Luc Picard gave me another captain to believe in. He had his own presence, his own way of handling a situation, and a way of making you listen when he spoke.
Eventually, Picard was on par with Kirk in my eyes. Coming from someone who had loved the original series since childhood, that says a lot.
From the Enterprise to First Contact
The series became an important part of my adult entertainment life. I cared about the characters and wanted to see where their stories would go.
After the television series ended, the TNG movies gave us more time with them. My favorite remains First Contact. It is the one that stands out most for me from that chapter of Star Trek.
Looking back, I can trace different stages of my life through these shows and movies: childhood with the original series, my teenage years with The Wrath of Khan, young adulthood with The Voyage Home, and then the years spent getting to know Picard’s crew.
That is a long relationship to have with a fictional universe. The people who bring it to life become familiar faces across decades.
Seeing Everyone Together Again
By the time Star Trek: Picard arrived, I was well into another chapter of my own life.
It was fun to see those familiar faces again, especially when the crew came back together. There was a lot of personal history attached to watching them share the screen.
Patrick Stewart and the rest of the cast—and yes, that includes Wil Wheaton—were an important part of my adult life as a viewer. Each contributed to a crew I grew to love.
Seeing them again brought back the feeling that had kept me watching all those years earlier.
Thank You for the Inspiration
What stays with me most is how much creativity those performances sparked.
As someone who enjoys filmmaking and storytelling, I appreciate entertainment that leaves me wanting to create something of my own. Stewart and his castmates gave me that feeling many times over the years.
His passing makes me appreciate the time we had with him on screen and the work we can return to. I can watch an episode, revisit First Contact, or spend another evening with the crew and remember why these stories meant so much to me.
The original series will always have that special place in my heart. Patrick Stewart helped another Enterprise crew earn a place there, too.
Thank you, Sir Patrick, for the years of entertainment, the inspiration, and a captain who became part of my life.
News Background
Stewart died October 28, 2026, at age 86, according to his spokesperson’s statement reported by Reuters. This entry is a personal reflection on his work and its place in my life.
Reader question: When did Captain Picard and the Next Generation crew win you over?
STM Blog
Golden Bird in Compton: When Mom Took a Night Off
Golden Bird in Compton was an occasional Friday or Saturday treat when Mom wanted a break from cooking. A personal look back at its Alondra Boulevard location and the memories that linger.
Some childhood meals stay with you for decades. For me, Golden Bird fried chicken in Compton is one of them.
Growing up in the Los Angeles area, an occasional Friday or Saturday meant my mom wanted a break from cooking. Those were the nights when takeout became a treat, and Golden Bird was one of the places I remember enjoying most.
The location on East Alondra Boulevard sounds like the one we visited. Researching it brought me to 2600 East Alondra Boulevard, Compton—an address listed in Los Angeles County records under Golden Bird #1.
An address can help place a memory on a map. But what I remember most is much simpler: the chicken was delicious, and getting it was a welcome weekend treat.
Part of Our Family’s Takeout Rotation
Golden Bird wasn’t our only chicken stop. Over the years, there was Pioneer, KFC, Church’s, Louisiana Fried Chicken, and later Popeyes. I also remember Jim Dandy from when I was very young, especially its crinkle-cut fries.
Each name brings back a different memory. Golden Bird brings me back to Compton and those evenings when my mother could take some time off from preparing dinner.
As a kid, I thought about enjoying the food. Looking back, I also appreciate what those meals meant for her: one less dinner to cook and a chance to take a break.
The History Behind the Address
Golden Bird’s own history describes a family recipe associated with Zelma and a wet batter designed to give the chicken a crisp outside while keeping the meat moist. My own memory is simply that I loved eating it.
The Alondra Boulevard location also connects to another chapter in Southern California’s fried-chicken history. Vincent Williams opened a Compton Golden Bird franchise in 1983, according to the Los Angeles Times.
A later profile described Williams developing his Honey’s Kettle concept in his former Compton franchise location. Honey’s Kettle dates its beginnings on Alondra Boulevard to 2000, and a 2012 restaurant visit documented its original location at 2600 East Alondra Boulevard. Those accounts point to a connection between the two businesses at that address.
I haven’t established who operated the restaurant during every year my family visited. But learning about its history adds another layer to a place I remember through its food.
A Weekend Memory Worth Keeping
For me, Golden Bird’s place in the story starts with family. It was an occasional treat, a meal I enjoyed, and a Friday or Saturday when Mom could let someone else handle the cooking.
Decades later, that is still a good reason to remember a neighborhood restaurant.
Editor’s note: Golden Bird is still serving fried chicken in South Los Angeles at 8300 South Western Avenue, at West 83rd Street. For those of us who remember it as a weekend family treat, it’s good to know the Golden Bird name remains part of LA’s food scene. Order pickup and delivery
Did you eat at the Golden Bird on Alondra Boulevard—or another Golden Bird location? Share your memories and favorite orders in the comments.
Explore more food stories in STM Daily News’ Food & Drink section.
