For this reason alone, the character of those in public office is very important.
It is true that checks on public officials today, not present in Ivan's time, prevent most overt acts of depravity, but they do not prevent mischief, depravity, and evil, destructive acts.
This is why it is very significant when someone with a psychopathic personality is elected to a powerful public office. Those who are not alarmed either do not understand the significance; choose not to, possibly because they find it advantageous; or are depraved themselves.
Such people have always been a part of the human race and probably always will be. But they should not be allowed to reach positions of power.
Saddam Hussien seems to be a good runner up. He has the qualifications - purges of his staff, murder of his relatives, slaughter of his people not suspected of being loyal, and a huge ego.