Ivan and the Boyars

In 15 64, the czar abdicated and fled to a village south of moscow. For an entire month, terror gripped the capital as muscovites feared ivan had abandoned them to bloodthirsty boyars. Ivan offered his subjects a choice: Either they grant him absolute powers to govern as he pleased or accept despotic power. In this method of controlling people's options, they choose the option that gives you power because the alternative is just too unpleasant. Whenever people feel they have a choice, they walk into your trap more easily.