I’m just trying to understand. Erdogan in Turkey, Putin in Russia, Orban in Hungary etc… Why do these leaders still get so much support after all they’ve done? What do they exactly like about them?
Aren’t these people seeing a massive drop in their quality of life?
Because the system gives them no other real choice. When all major parties serve the interests of the oligarchs, the people know that they’re being screwed. Which makes them angry. And since the powers that be absolutely will not allow the emergence of a truly populist movement or leader, the people have no other option but to support a charismatic authoritarian leader who promises them whatever they want. I suspect that most of the people know that those leaders are lying, but at least they acknowledge that the people are being screwed!
Note that while the establishment never allows a leftist populist movement, they’re fine with an authoritarian one. Translation: our owners won’t allow their cattle to run free, but they’re happy to have us all choose a leader to send us to the slaughterhouse for their profit.