The Road to Dictatorship

                                            Based and inspired by the great series; 'How to Become a Tyrant'.

 

In this incredibly difficult time of social unrest and uncertainty, as we move from one crisis to another, this is paving the way for new dictatorships and mass formation around the world. Without the hypnotic mob there is no dictatorship.

Democracy is under pressure and since the economy and capitalism rule, one can in fact no longer speak of a democracy, but rather of a totalitarian, autocratic, or technocratic system.

What is dictatorship and which way to dictatorship?

A dictatorship is a form of government in which all power is in the hands of one person or one group of people. In the vast majority of cases, a dictatorship is established after uncertainties and crises and the use of violence or the threat of violence. A dictatorship is the opposite of democracy.

When living in difficult times, such as now, you may be attracted to someone who says, "Only I can solve it". People want (not really) peace, people want to be governed, especially in times of great uncertainty and discontent. The road to dictatorship is quite simple. Find a scapegoat, buy loyalty, and be one man with the people.

The road to dictatorship is described through six examples from history. Namely Adolf Hitler, Saddam Hussein, Idi Amin, Joseph Stalin, Muammar Gaddafi and the Kim dynasty.

1) Grab the Power. (Adolf Hitler)

*Believe in yourself: 

If you want power, you have to believe in yourself, you have to have megalomaniac faith. The people's special chosen one, the hero. The narcissist and center of the universe. Only you can save the country, the people and even the world, because you have been chosen by God.

*Sow resentment: 

People are angry and want to blame others. Find and blame enemies, minorities or enemies from outside. Their enemies are your enemies.

*Be a man of the people: 

Dream, what the people dream, become one with the crowd. I am you and you are me, a kind of collective organism.

*Make your movement a brand: 

Form unanimity. You want to belong to the team and that's how you create loyalty and obedience. Provide a strong icon, such as the Nazi flag.

*Build a team: 

A team of loyal and obedient followers. Check the media. Make good propaganda and use the power of repetition. Blame others, what you yourself are guilty of. Take advantage of the anger of the people and make your movement an unforgettable identity and surround yourself with a small group of loyalists.

*Decide when to strike: 

Timing is everything. Good times do not prosper for a dictator, one needs a crisis, depression and as a dictator you need an angry mob. When threatened, people look for a strong authoritarian leader. Cause incident and accuse others so that national security is at risk and make it a police state.

2) Destroy your rivals. (Saddam Hussein)

*Conduct a coup and create dominance: Eliminate and control competitors and rivals. Establish secret police and create mistrust. Spy on each other. Buy the coalition and corrupt them and buy the people. Sow fear. Kill, or be killed.

*Psychological manipulation: 

Humiliate everyone so that the rules are clear. Dictators are pathological narcissists, because of their insecurity. Their response to criticism is always to choose the attack. Sow fear, intimidate, to have/keep control.

*Everyone is replaceable: 

Even your own family is replaceable, that's how you keep your rivals down.

 

3) Rule by terror. (Idi Amin)

 

How do you keep the crowd on your side, through thick and thin? Through violence and terror. Machiavelli asked the question; "Is it better for a ruler to be feared or loved"? Trust in fear, because if they fear you, you have control over them.

*Hide Cruelty: 

Through; Disinformation, censorship, hide the truth, use charm. Sow division.

*Make the law a weapon: Dismantle, weaken the institutions. Check government and economic structure. Delete constitution and give yourself the power to enact your own laws. Set the judges aside.

*Use pain: 

Torture. People should be afraid and make sure no one trusts each other. Rule through fear and pain.

*Choose a scapegoat: 

Emotions can be manipulated. Blame others.

* Start a war: 

If you have your back against the wall and the confidence is gone, start a war. For loyalty and a common enemy.

4) Check the truth: (Joseph Stalin)

The truth was; If it's good for the leader, or for the party, that's the truth.

*Rewrite history: 

"Who controls the past controls the future," said George Orwell. Create your own reality. Re-feed/educate youth differently, with your history.

*Censor everything: 

Check information and press.

*Seduce outsiders: For example, as an alternative to US imperialism, capitalism, for greater regime legitimacy. Idealize the Socialist utopia and ensure good pr.

* Destroy God: 

For a dictator there is only one God and that is himself. "Religion is the opium for the masses". Religions were rich. Replace God and take care of your own myth. Marxism-Leninism. Your truth is the truth and your truth is Divine.

*Corrupt science: If a study didn't fit the ideology, it was ignored. Loyalty is more important than science itself.

*Eliminate Trust: 

Distrust is a powerful tool. If you don't trust anyone, you surrender yourself to the power of the state, because everything is suspicious. Anyone can be a traitor and as a nation it is your job to find conspirators. (The Great Purge) The leader, party determines what is true and the absolute power is the truth.

 

5) Create a new community: (Muammar Gaddafi)

* You are the law: 

Reform society. Rule the people with a strong hand. Limit the rights and freedom of the people, because that is what is best for the state and the people. The dictator knows what is right and what is the truth. Ban foreign products/influence.

*Build your legacy: 

Build big static images, big projects. Make yourself immortal. By being seen daily, one shows their greatness. Upgrade your country and image.

*Export your greatness: seek support, sympathy and sponsor revolutionary movements abroad.

*Stick to your weapons:                                                                                                         If you don't have enough weapons, you can't defend dictatorship.

6) Rule forever. (The Kim Dynasty)

Permanent stability is the problem of dictators, because they often fall through the basket. The people do not benefit from it, remain oppressed, are exploited, manipulated, humiliated and the innumerable dead should certainly not be forgotten.

A dictator must be glorified and portrayed as the source of all wisdom and virtue. Stay in power, ensure continuity and ensure immortality. Ruler forever.

*Isolate your kingdom:
*Keep it in the family:
* Confirm your Divinity:
*Becomes a nuclear power:

As we move forward on the road, what exit do we take? How can we prevent this? By being aware of what can happen if, among other things, we let fear determine the way and not our common sense, love, wisdom as a direction board.

A man is only as faithful as his options. (Chris Rock)

Peter van Els. 03-11-2022 

https://lanariaamberkira.blogspot.com/