Why does the dictator need a narrative?

A dictator typically rules by power and fear.  He kills persons who oppose him, puts them in prison or drives them into exile.  These threats in turn silent the others.  Sycophants compete to demonstrate their loyalty, and help to subdue the population.  The dictator’s power appears to be unchallenged.  

Why, then, is the dictator is so eager to promote a narrative - that his monopoly of power is good for the nation?  That he alone is bringing prosperity?  That anyone who opposes him is an enemy - not only of him, but of the nation?  That anyone who voices dissent must be doing it out of bad motives?  Why does he feel a need to justify his position, since his power seems to be so absolute and secure?  

Perhaps a dictator is not so secure after all.  Perhaps he needs the support of a strong army who monopolise the weapons and the support of high-ranking officials - whose support can be bought only with benefits to their group.  Perhaps he also needs the passive support of the general population - whose acquiescence can be bought with material prosperity.  Perhaps he needs a narrative that the nation is prosperous, that the prosperity is due to him only, that his way is the only way to prosperity, that to achieve his version of prosperity other values - and many people - must be sacrificed.    

Perhaps, deep down, in his heart, he also needs to assure himself of a high-sounding narrative.  That he, like the rest of us, also has a conscience.  To continue to suppress others to consolidate his power, he has to deceive his own conscience with a narrative - high sounding even if it is wrong.  Perhaps the prosperity is false.  Perhaps the prosperity is enjoyed only by some but not others. Perhaps the prosperity is not due to him but others.  Perhaps there are better ways to achieve prosperity together with other important values, for everyone, not just a select few.  He does not care that it is wrong - as long as it assuages his conscience, for the moment.  

Since the narrative is so important, we have to ask: is the narrative correct?  What are the facts? What are the true cause and effect?  What are the authentic experiences?  What are the values that truly deserve preserving and working for? How then should we live?  Under an authoritarian government, it may be risky to live truly authentically.  But we have to believe that there is a way.  There has to be a way.  There continues to be people who retain the hope.  There has to be hope.  Without it the world is truly miserable.