Leadership in The Walking Dead: Comparing the Governor, Negan and Rick

Negan’s attitude towards outsiders

The Saviors treat other communities neither as allies, nor as threats, but as colonies. They assert military dominance over them and then use them to get their food and other supplies. They keep them alive but also make sure to constantly keep them in fear, by regularly bullying them and occasionally killing people.

Negan’s attitude to outsiders is mostly utilitarian. Those he takes as prisoners are people he has selected, because of the value he sees in them: he sees Daryl as a potential henchman because of his strength and bravery, he hopes Eugene can be a valuable addition to the sanctuary because of his knowledge, and admires Sasha’s courage.

The weak ones, however, have to pay. We don’t know much about the workers in the Sanctuary yet, but we know this position is difficult enough that some people try to run away. The sick, especially, are considered a liability and their relatives either have to work extra hard or accept some kind of agreement with Negan. Sherry’s sister Tina initially refused to become his wife, while Amber apparently accepted the deal because her mother needed medication. Negan provides protection to people, but he clearly is no philanthropist.