Narcissistic Leadership A Barefaced Dictatorship | Shraddha Rishi, Ajay Kumar Mishra

Abstract

The multilateral world system is inherently imperial and has been susceptible to imperial mandates. Throughout the 20th century, the United States masked its dictatorship by intervening in other countries’ affairs under the pretence of promoting democracy and human rights. Recent actions in Venezuela and threats to Greenland and other independent nations have exposed the self-serving nature of US imperialism. Additionally, the US claim to mediate Operation Sindoor raises concerns about the sovereignty of nations in South Asia, while imposing punitive measures on India for purchasing Russian oil undermines its autonomy. This blatant exercise of power by the US poses significant challenges for nation-states.

India must navigate its sovereignty pragmatically, especially given its proximity to China, which has its own imperial ambitions. A reluctance to respond to these violations could redefine India as a cautious middle power aligned with the Global North, creating a gap that China could exploit. Currently, the Third World is fragmented by strategic alliances and economic dependencies rather than ideological unity. By opposing imperialism, India could revitalise the right to self-determination against oppressive global systems.

Key Words: Imperialism, Dictatorship, Narcissism, the US, India, Great Power

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Introduction

The 20th century’s multilateral institutions and multilateralism were intentionally imperial in nature, and they relied on hegemonic stability to ensure their continued existence. These multilateral organisations and liberal internationalism served as a front for the US-led western powers’ imperial strategy. But the arrest of Nicolas Maduro, the president of Venezuela, and his spouse, Cilia Flores, revealed the blatant period of imperialism and dictatorship to seize control of an autonomous nation-state for minerals and energy [1]. Venezuelan oil and other resources will be used profitably for both the United States and Venezuela, according to US President Donald Trump.

"We are going to be taking out a tremendous amount of wealth out of the ground," Trump declared during his press conference on January 3[[Anton Troianovski 2026, Trump Long Wanted to