The Foreign Desk How to topple a tyrant
Jul 5, 2025
Ivan Marovic, a leader of the Otpor movement against Slobodan Milosevic, joins Lina Khatib from Chatham House and political scientist Marcel Dursus to explore the rapid downfall of tyrants like Assad. They discuss how psychological dynamics and socio-political conditions contribute to regime collapse. With technology as both an ally and foe, they emphasize the power of public messaging in revolutions. The conversation highlights the hope in citizen mobilization and the importance of a supportive international community for oppressed populations.
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Tyrants' Vulnerability Reality
- Every tyrant is vulnerable despite appearances because they must constantly worry about losing power.
- When they fall, most face exile, imprisonment, or death, showing the risks of autocratic rule.
Violence Can Undermine Tyrants
- Using violence often backfires for tyrants because soldiers may refuse to shoot protesters.
- Repression can cause regimes to crumble from within due to loss of support among security forces.
Tyrants' Hubris and Rationality
- Tyrants develop hubris due to isolation and yes-men reinforcing their beliefs.
- Despite flaws, tyrants learn and act rationally within their power systems, making cruelty a calculated strategy.
