The Play

Elected authoritarians often rise by promising to clean up institutions captured by corrupt elites. They pose as moral crusaders who will "eliminate the political caste" or "drain the swamp." But once in office, they often reward loyalists, divert public resources, and shield their own networks from scrutiny.

That gap between promise and practice is one of their greatest vulnerabilities. When exposed with precision, the story can shift from "they're on our side" to "they betrayed us." They are not saviors but the very corrupt elite they vowed to oppose. They are not underdogs fighting a "deep state" but the ones running the show for their own benefit.

This play is about puncturing the illusion and exposing them not only as corrupt but as traitors. The betrayal, turned into a values-driven narrative, starts with undeniable evidence and continues by making the harm tangible: connecting stolen funds to broken hospitals, collapsed bridges, or schools never built.

To cut deeper, use relatable voices—former insiders or betrayed supporters—to deliver the message with authenticity. What remains is to make the story spill into culture—through songs, memes, and pop expressions that keep the betrayal alive in public memory.

Why it works

• Corruption is the universal deal-breaker. Across cultures and ideologies, it's one of the few issues that unites people in outrage.
• It cuts at their brand. Elected authoritarians campaign on moral superiority. Showing they've betrayed that image strikes at the heart of their appeal.
• Evidence pierces propaganda. Solid proof—especially visual—can break through disinformation walls.
• It reframes the idea that they are not an elite. Instead of outsiders fighting the system, they're exposed as the corrupt elite they swore to oppose.
• Outrage fuels action. When betrayal is tied to tangible harm, it moves people from anger to collective pressure and action.

How it works

1. Drop the Bomb, Not the Hints

Avoid vague accusations like "the regime is corrupt"—they only make loyal supporters defensive and give authoritarians time to prepare counterattacks. Instead, wait until you have a clear, symbolic emblem of betrayal: an extravagant mansion, a luxury watch collection, a rigged procurement deal, or diverted disaster aid. The symbol should be concrete, visual, and emotionally charged.

2. Time It for Maximum Leverage

Not every revelation lands the same. Release it as a single, concentrated hit for maximum shock—and then escalate with further details. Coordinate major disclosures with moments when public attention and political stakes are high: an election campaign, an international summit, or a key legislative vote. Authoritarians depend on narrative control; timing your exposure when they can't easily bury the story forces them onto the defensive and derails their agenda.

3. Anchor in Rock-Solid, Irrefutable Evidence

Authoritarians survive by denying, distracting, and distorting. That's why your evidence must be airtight: official contracts, leaked recordings, insider testimonies, satellite images, forensic audits. Partner with investigative journalists, civic watchdogs, and honest institutional actors—auditors, prosecutors—to verify the facts. Whenever possible, make it visual and visceral: photos of hidden luxury, drone footage of secret estates, receipts linking stolen money to unfinished public projects.

4. Link Betrayal to Real-Life Harm

Technical details alone rarely spark outrage. Translate abstract crimes into tangible losses: "They stole your local hospital," "Your child's school was never built," "This bridge collapse killed 16 people because safety funds were pocketed." Use survivor testimonies, relatable metaphors, and symbolic objects to bring the damage home. When people see the cost in their own lives, corruption stops being abstract and starts feeling urgent.

5. Elevate Relatable Voices

Former supporters, disillusioned insiders, and everyday people who once trusted the authoritarian make betrayal personal. Their disappointment shows that breaking with the regime isn't a betrayal of the cause—it's a defense of it. These voices resonate far beyond political opponents, carrying moral weight with undecided citizens. But remember: visibility makes them targets. Protect them from backlash so their stories can't be silenced.

6. Turn Outrage into Sustained Action

A scandal without follow-up fades fast. Pair each revelation with specific, achievable calls to action—protests, petitions, legal complaints, voter registration drives, or watchdog monitoring. The goal is to channel anger into a lasting force that keeps the betrayal alive in public memory and pressures institutions to act.

Tips

A. Be surgical, not screechy

Outrage is valid—but too much noise can sound partisan or theatrical. Let the evidence, the betrayal, and the consequences speak for themselves. Stay focused: authoritarians lied, they abused power, they stole from citizens. Aim for clarity, not volume. You're exposing systemic rot, not resenting personal wealth.

B. Protect the Messengers Before the Backlash

The most dangerous moment often comes right after a major revelation. Whistleblowers get discredited, journalists smeared, auditors sidelined. Anticipate this. Build legal defense funds, secure communications, safe relocation options, and international solidarity networks before going public. The more visible and connected your truth-tellers are, the harder they are to silence—and the more retaliation backfires.

C. Corruption is (Only) One Entry Point

This play is powerful, but not self-sufficient. It works best when paired with a broader pro-democracy message—one grounded in inclusion, fairness, and a hopeful vision of tomorrow. Corruption grabs attention, but values win hearts. Use the scandal to open a deeper conversation. Show not just what's broken, but what's worth building instead.

Who's done it well?

Russia: Alexei Navalny

The Palace That Broke the Spell

In 2021, Alexei Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation exposed "Putin's Palace," a $1.3 billion Black Sea mansion allegedly built through a web of corrupt deals. Drone footage, lavish interiors, and insider testimony shattered Putin's image as a modest nationalist, revealing gold-trimmed luxury while Russians faced hardship. The film hit 100M YouTube views in a week and sparked nationwide protests, with chants of "Putin is a thief" echoing across over 100 cities.

"The palace was not just a building, but a symbol of twenty years of Putin's rule. A symbol of what he considers acceptable, of what he considers his own."

Philippines: The Pharmally Exposure

Turning Corruption Into a Credibility Crisis

In 2021, revelations by the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, investigative outlets like Rappler and the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ), and opposition figures uncovered a massive corruption scheme involving the misuse of COVID-19 procurement funds to favor connected suppliers under President Rodrigo Duterte's administration. Known as the Pharmally scandal, it showed that billions of pesos in medical supply contracts were awarded to a little-known firm linked to Duterte's allies, while hospitals lacked basic protective equipment and citizens struggled through lockdowns.

The scandal struck at the core of Duterte's image as a tough, anti-corruption populist. As public outrage over the revelations grew, his approval rating fell from roughly 90 percent in late 2020 to about 70 percent by 2021, the sharpest decline of his presidency. The exposure transformed the moral landscape of Philippine politics, undermining Duterte's anti-elite narrative and proving that accountability could still bite even a seemingly untouchable leader.

In sharp contrast 2022 presidential candidate Leni Robredo ran on integrity and service. She modeled the alternative: a modest lifestyle, community-driven pandemic relief, and decades of principled leadership. Her volunteer-led "kakampinks" movement mobilized through art, kitchens, and grassroots outreach, creating a moral contrast that cut through Duterte's populism and energized millions.

"How can these people sleep at night? When many Filipinos are suffering; their mind is on making money."

Guatemala: #RenunciaYa

Turning Outrage Into Power

In 2015, Guatemala's CICIG and anti-impunity unit exposed La Línea, a customs fraud ring implicating President Otto Pérez Molina. The hashtag #RenunciaYa ("Renaunce Now") became a nonpartisan civic uprising, with citizens banging pots, waving tax receipts, and chanting "I paid, they stole." Weeks of mass protests forced the semi-authoritaraian president and vice president to resign and face arrest. From this momentum, Movimiento Semilla was born—turning indignation into a political force that won the presidency in 2023 on a platform of democracy, dignity and justice.

"In that historic moment, the elites finally realised that the people won't tolerate any more corruption. But the struggle was just beginning… We were young, connected, angry – and we became the generation that turned indignation into a government committed to dignity and democracy."

Serbia: Bloody Hands

Linking Corruption to a Tragedy

In November 2024, the canopy of Novi Sad's main railway station collapsed, killing sixteen people and triggering nationwide outrage. Independent journalists, like N1, and watchdog groups accused the government of awarding opaque construction contracts to politically connected firms and cutting corners on safety oversight. Next, media reports revealed that parts of the project were tied to non-transparent deals with foreign contractors, deepening public anger over corruption and impunity. Civic groups, engineers, and student organizations students from faculties in Belgrade, Novi Sad, Niš and Kragujevac amplified these findings via social media, framing the disaster as proof that "corruption kills."

Students led the first protests; soon, tens of thousands marched in more than 400 cities, holding vigils, tractor blockades, and banners reading "Blood on your hands." The moral clarity of the movement forced resignations and reopened investigations, showing how exposing the link between corruption and human loss can strip an authoritarian government of its legitimacy. The moral clarity shook the regime. By early 2025, the prime minister resigned, ministers were ousted, and stalled investigations reopened—proving that when corruption is tied to human loss, public outrage can force authoritarian retreat.

"They built a monument to corruption — and it crushed our people. That's why we marched."

Learn more

Curated resources to deepen understanding or support implementation

D-Hub Resources

• "Expose the Betrayal." Volume 4, Narrative.
• "Make Anti-Corruption your Spear." Volume 7, Institutions and Civic Space.
• "Shield Investigative Journalism." Volume 7, Institutions and Civic Space.
• "Cultivate Civil Resistance and Whistleblowing." Volume 7, Institutions and Civic Space.

Other Resources

• D-Hub. 2025. "Clash of Dynasties." The Fight for Democracy Chronicles, Volume 3.
• D-Hub. 2025. "A Surprise Comeback!" The Fight for Democracy Chronicles, Volume 4.