Dictators' Playbook Flashcards
Define dictatorship
The state or government is ruled by one man or single party or the powers are possessed by a small group. Dictators usually hold on to power until they can. Laws becomes inferior to dictators on the basis of survival of the state.
Two forms of dictatorship
Totalitarian and Authoritarian
Types of Dictatorship
- Monarchial Dictatorship
- Military Dictatorship
- Civilian Dictatorship
Monarchial Dictatorship
When the effective head bears the title of “King” and have hereditary successor or predecessor.
Military Dictatorship
The head of the government is a current or past member of the armed forces.
Civilian Dictatorship
The head of the government is neither bears a title nor member of armed forces.
Constitutional Authoritarianism
Changing or reforming the law in accordance to his will.
Famous Dictators
- Adolf Hitler: Germany
- Benito Mussolini: Italy
- Joseph Stalin: USSR
- Mao Tse Tung: China
- Idi Amin: Uganda
- Ferdinand Marcos: Philippines
- Sadam Hussein: Iraq
- Muammar Gaddafi: Libya
- Kim Jong Il: North Korea
Dictator’s Playbook
- Seize power
- Impose your “truth”
- Manipulation
- Reign with terror
- Rule by law and not rule of law
- Create a new society
- Showcase grandeur
Rule by law vs Rule of law
Rule by law is the usage of law to perpetrate power meanwhile Rule of law is when no one is above the law.
Father of Modern Political Science
Niccolo Machiavelli
Dictator’s Dilemma
Not knowing what the population thinks of his policies, he has no way of knowing what they are thinking and planning, and of course he suspects that what they are thinking and planning is his assassination.
Quotation of Niccolo Machiavelli
“Let the prince therefore aim at conquering and maintaining the state, and the means will always be judged honorable and praised by everyone.”
