Minusone's definitions
A political and psychological phenomenon where people hate a leader, vote or fight to remove them, then later start wishing they were back in charge — usually after experiencing disappointment with their replacement.
The cycle goes like this:
1. “This leader is awful!”
2. “Let’s get someone better.”
3. “Wait, this is worse.”
4. “Maybe the old guy wasn’t so bad after all…”
5. “We need him back!”
This happens with dictators, presidents, prime ministers — anyone in charge. The Leader Effect is fueled by nostalgia, frustration, instability, and unrealistic expectations.
The cycle goes like this:
1. “This leader is awful!”
2. “Let’s get someone better.”
3. “Wait, this is worse.”
4. “Maybe the old guy wasn’t so bad after all…”
5. “We need him back!”
This happens with dictators, presidents, prime ministers — anyone in charge. The Leader Effect is fueled by nostalgia, frustration, instability, and unrealistic expectations.
"Some Iraqis missing Saddam is a clear case of The Leader Effect."
"Voters switching from Trump to Biden, then wanting Trump back shows The Leader Effect."
"After Gaddafi’s fall, Libya went into chaos — The Leader Effect appeared again."
"Voters switching from Trump to Biden, then wanting Trump back shows The Leader Effect."
"After Gaddafi’s fall, Libya went into chaos — The Leader Effect appeared again."
by Minusone July 19, 2025
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