I agree that the web is extremely powerful. I also think this power is symmetric in who it enables. Unlike land ownership or TV broadcasting entry isn't expens

I agree that the web is extremely powerful. I also think this power is symmetric in who it enables. Unlike land ownership or TV broadcasting entry isn't expensive and the needed tools can easily be smuggled. Anyone can easily gain immensely from this free-flowing font of knowledge and communication. A potential dictator must take great pains to use gain that huge power in the Internet era and I think you are right that we will see some insanely powerful dictators. However, I think we see fewer than in previous eras though.