Stuff You Should Know Selects: How Dictators Work
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Dec 15, 2023 Dive into the world of dictators, from the so-called 'benevolent' leaders to tyrants who rule with an iron fist. Discover how they seize power, often without violence, and explore historical and modern examples, including Napoleon's tactics. The amusing contrast between dictatorships and personal liberties offers a compelling perspective on governance. Unravel the mechanics behind staged elections, political coups, and the psychological impact on citizens. It's a captivating examination of authoritarianism with personal anecdotes sprinkled throughout.
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Dictatorships Throughout History
- Dictatorships were the primary form of government for millennia.
- The concept of individual liberties and their protection is relatively new, emerging around the Enlightenment.
The Term "Dictator"
- The term "dictator" originates from ancient Rome, referring to someone who dictates.
- Dictators rarely use the title "dictator," preferring terms like president or premier.
Roman Dictators
- In ancient Rome, dictators held temporary, emergency power for six months.
- Some Roman dictators, like Lucius Cornelius Sulla, abused this system by refusing to relinquish power after the term limit.