A History of Authoritarian Dictators
What if?
Though I loathed history and most social studies classes in school, I now love reading and learning about different cultures throughout history, and even in modern times.
When I read about governments and power structures, I am always appalled at cruel dictatorships and other authoritarian regimes. And sometimes I wonder what that would have been like for me.
What would it be like to live under a power system where . . . ?
Free, non-violent protest is threatened to be met with “very heavy force.”
One person (or small group of people) controls and crumbles a financial system.
Free and fair electoral processes are doubted, and, when the outcome is not to his liking, attempted to be overturned.
Pardons are given in exchange for votes and financial gain.
The closest advisors are sycophants and yes-men who will not challenge him, or attacked when they do.
Independent board members and panelists are removed.
Demonizing and lying about people who don’t look like him, while giving preference to not-persecuted people who do, all to stoke fear.
There is no due process for people accused of crimes and not-crimes, and many of those people are “disappeared.”
Media who question or challenge the authority are cut off from access, or even targeted.
Most policies are enacted not through a legislative body of elected officials, but through unilateral orders.
A demand for loyalty to him personally over loyalty to the country.
Maybe I don’t have to wonder anymore.
PS — I’m no political expert. So maybe take it from respected people like Adam Kinzinger (former Lieutenant Colonel, veteran of wars in Iraq, and Afghanistan, and former GOP Representative). I highly recommend following him.
