Here is the strongman’s trap: In order to do anything in his world, you have to bow to him. Everyone bows to him, and writes this off as a practical decision. But in doing so, you make the strongman stronger. Meeting his demand for loyalty, for not speaking plainly about his outrages, for flattery and obsequiousness—all of this serves to reinforce the unhealthy dynamic he has built. By paying the price to enter the halls of power, you ensure that the price will get higher. By agreeing to his rules, you cement his supremacy. The willingness of savvy and practical and realistic people to write off that kiss of the ring as a small matter is what creates the absurd, surreal conditions that characterize strongmen governments. What you look at the bizarre spectacle of a nation of millions all cowering with pasted-on smiles before a flawed leader and wonder to yourself, “How did that happen?”, the answer is, it happened more or less like this.