Why are authoritarian leaders appealing?

 

One of the downsides of the democratic process is that it rarely produces the type of leaders that people think of when they think of a LEADER.   For example, this guy is a LEADER:

And leadership isn't exclusively male, of course.  The woman below is also clearly a LEADER.

Clearly, being mounted on a horse with a sword helps that leadership perception.  But moving forward into modern times, why is it that leaders don't emerge readily from the democratic process?

The simplest answer is that to get into a leadership office in politics, it's hard to be bold, because boldness can offend those who don't agree with where a leader is attempting to boldly go.  So politics is the art of compromise, negotiation, deal-making, appealing to ideological opponents, and generally not being offensive.  Leadership makes you a target of the opposition, and even your friends if you don't keep them on your good side.  (Just ask Julius Caesar.)  

This article discusses the problem.

Leaders of democracies increasingly echo Putin in authoritarian tilt

" “The trend we are seeing reflects a disillusionment around the world that the democratic process fails to produce effective, charismatic leaders,” said Nikolas Gvosdev, a professor of national security studies at the U.S. Naval War College. “In country after country, the idea spreads that we need strong leaders who get things done."

So, as we await the final results of the election held two days ago, we might wonder if any LEADERS were selected, and who they are.  Because the USA needs leaders, not autocrats.  Where have all our leaders gone?

(By the way, the top statue is El Cid, and the bottom one is Joan of Arc.)