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This thesis is an investigation of the role of morality in motivating the followers of 20th century tyrannies. Karl Popper argued that what interested him about modern tyrants was that they all possessed huge followings of dedicated followers who ascribed to the tyrant´s moral message . Like the dedicated followers of any cause they believed that what they were supporting was morally righteous. The focus of this study is the often neglected followers of two such 20th century tyrants Adolf Hitler and Saddam Hussein and why they came to view these evil men as the righteous saviours of their respective peoples and lands. Concluding that in circumstances where a segment of the human race becomes estranged, in moral terms, from the rest of humanity, it becomes perfectly normal for people to commit evil against those deemed to be outsiders in the name of good. Such alienated moral environments facilitate a moral faith in tyranny.

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A Canadian scholar, Tristan Dineen received his Master´s Degree in Political Science from the University of Guelph in 2010 where his studies focused on the means by which authoritarian regimes gain and retain power over their respective societies. He is an active spoken word poet and radio host. He lives in Guelph Ontario.

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