commentary Tyrants and dictators often dream of building gigantic monuments to themselves. It usually doesn't work Published May 3, 2026 9:00AM (EDT) (Illustration by Salon / Getty Images / Chris Jackson / U.S. Commission of Fine Arts / CC-BY-SA 3.0) It might be a bit too convenient, at this moment in history, to observe that failing tyrants, as they feel their power slipping away, start building grandiose monuments to themselves. But at least in the modern context, it’s not wrong. Let’s put it this way: Any leader of the last century or so who wants to celebrate his glorious reign with, just for example, a grand triumphal arch and a plan to destroy and rebuild important landmarks of his capital city is only imitating the past, while ignoring its most obvious lessons. He’s likely to end up celebrating only his own decadence, poverty of spirit and enormous hubris.…