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> Well, a dictator is almost by definition an oppressive leader I think that you're making that up, dictators don't really need to be oppressive to remain in p
by brabel 3y ago
> Well, a dictator is almost by definition an oppressive leader
I think that you're making that up, dictators don't really need to be oppressive to remain in power. If that was true, most dictators would be quickly replaced early in their reign because there would be so many "more oppressive" people nearby, and that would only stop after "selection" done its job and a truly difficult to replace oppressive ruler was found. But that's never the case! When a dictator raises to power, usually chosen by the elite, they tend to remain in power for several decades.
- rob74 3y agoIf it doesn't happen that often that a new dictator manages to topple a current one, it's because the current dictator (a) already had a good power base/large support among the elite before he came to power and (b) because, as soon as he is in power, he's careful to keep his supporters among the elite happy and eliminate any possible contenders. Even Kim Jong Un, who had a good position by being built up as "heir" during his father's "reign", had to eliminate a few (true or imagined) competitors (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kim_Jong_Un#Purges_and_executions https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kim_Jong_Un#Purges_and_executi...).