[hurubaw]

This. Laws mean nothing, if there is no one to enforce them. If a single elected leader can decide that only certain laws are enforced or how they are enforced, then you have no laws, or rights, you have a dictator.

Strong and ethical leaders with wide administrative powers (="good dictators") make nations very strong, effective and capable of adapting to anything. But this is such a two edged sword, that most countries have removed most of presidents (or monarchs) administrative powers, even at the cost of weakening themselves. Mostly due to having a "bad experience" in their histories.