I read an interesting article (I'll try and find the link) about the "authoritarian" character type.
In brief, it proposes a character trait "authoritarian" that sits alongside other traits like introverted, extroverted, optimistic, pessimistic etc.
In times of "stress", say a recession or conflict or terrorism threat, people who are "authoritarian" tend to respond by looking for an outside "power" to take control and make things better.
This outside power could be a deity, in which case you have the classic "turning to god" in times of turmoil trope.
But it can also be a "strongman" politician type, say Putin or Hitler (damn it Godwin!) or Trump.
This explains the correlation between religious conservatives and right wingers of the "strong leader" type (not the free market right wingers although they may also have the same trait).
It also explains why after a big recession/depression and turmoil the world seems to see an uptick in the number of elected "dictators". Authoritarian personality types tend to not care about niceties like civil liberties, the rule of law etc as long as the leader "makes it better". After the (first) great depression we saw people like Hitler, Mussolini, Mosley etc. with real public support.
Now, after the second great depression we are seeing the rise of (generally right wing but not always) "strong men" with genuine popular appeal.
Trump is a classic strong man figure. He relies on personal charisma, his projection of himself as a powerful "alpha male". He wins with women, he crushes others at business, he beats others at sports (by cheating at golf apparently), there is nothing he can't master and he will win for the nation!
Without being glib the similarities in presentation between Trump, Putin and Kin Jong Un are startling when you adjust for society.
N Korea wants a wise and capable leader sort of a father figure for the nation so pictures of KJU flying planes, directing tanks, advising scientists, providing food, paintings of smiling children.
Russian want a manly man, so Putin driving a submarine, bare chested on a horse, doing martial arts, doing manly macho things.
America wants a successful man as indicated by wealth. Lots of Trump in jets (being flown not flying, flying means you're not rich enough to afford a pilot), posh cars (ditto drivers), if he went on a sub, he would have a captain and it would look like that sub roger more was in at the end of that bond film I forget, all fur and champagne, fancy hotels, lots of gaudy gold and rich wood. Lots about his business success and connections, lots about how hard a negotiator he is.
