Cambridge Speechwriter

A dictator’s authority is dependent on people believing that that dictator has power and control. For Nicolae Ceaușescu, that illusion was shattered on December 21^st, 1989, after he gave what became his last ever speech… 

The speech was a disaster. It was an address which was supposed to be given to a supportive audience of Romanian comrades. For propaganda purposes, it was broadcast live to the entire world. The only difference this year was that the audience, instead of obediently cheering, began arguing back and heckling their once feared dictator. 

Ceaușescu did the worst thing a dictator can do. He looked old and confused, and he started arguing back with individual members of the audience. 

In what became a sad and pathetic spectacle, Ceaușescu lost control of his audience and began shouting ‘Hallo’ into the microphone to try and get their attention. Whilst the camera is facing away from the Romanian dictator, his wife Elena Ceaușescu can be heard shouting ‘listen to him!’ into the microphone. A further sign that the authority they once held was lost. 

Being completely ignored by the audience Nicolae Ceaușescu even began tapping the microphone to try and get their attention. 

A dictator is dependent on having a strong ethos – an ethos that is feared and revered by the people. It was at this speech, which was broadcast to the world, that the Ceaușescu image was shattered, and the regime fell. 

After this speech, he and his wife attempted to flee the country. They were arrested by police and turned into the army. Both were executed on December 25^th, only four days after giving that fateful speech. 

In many cases throughout history, the power of a dictator was nothing more than an illusion. Sometimes those illusions are built by speeches, and sometimes they are exposed by them. 

My second book The Language of Evil will explore how dictators used rhetoric and speeches to manipulate the masses and wield power through words!

If you’re interested to know more, you can always check out my first book How to Apologise for Killing a Cat: Rhetoric and the Art of Persuasion!