well, considering the evil overlords we've had in the real world like hitler and stalin and various others, it's hard to believe they wouldn't rule with an iron fist and would actually be a fair and just ruler.
i mean, generally speaking evil people don't look out for the welfare of others. that's pretty much a character trait of a good guy.
I agree, if the evil character is a powerless peon like the rest of us mortals. However, no despot can rule (or stay alive) for long without creating allies and endearing himself to a group of sycophants. That requires "people skills", and the ability to see other peoples' needs and desires as worthy of your attention.
Even if a person is purely evil, that person cannot perform heroic deeds, lead others, or achieve greatness without being a "fair and just ruler" over the cadre of ministers, warriors, and disciples. The subjugated masses don't qualify for these amenities, but that (in the mind of the evil leader) is the price that must be paid for the inner circle to live happily.
So the question in the mind of the evil ruler is "Whose welfare is most important? Mine? My inner circle's? My subjugated masses'?" And the question is NOT that the evil ruler doesn't look out for the welfare of others.
Compare the character trait to a "good guy" leader, and I suggest that the "good guy" recognizes that the welfare of a larger or particularly oppressed group is important. Or, more often, that disenfranchisement of any group must be tempered with wisdom and charity.
Or, put another way, how many religions market themselves based on the premise that another group/religion is evil? "Reject them and their ways, and you will be a righteous member of the only True Faith."
Intolerance and exclusiveness, be it religious, political, or otherwise, is a tool for gathering an inner circle to a leader. Tolerance and inclusiveness create communities that tend to be suspicious of leaders' motives, but accept them as long as popular opinion and traditions are not greatly offended. That's why it is so difficult to find a truly benevolent despot, or a popular hero who wants to be a leader. Would Hitler have survived for very long without an enemy to oppress? Would
you want to be the Pope? Would a Saint want to be the Secretary General of the United Nations?
