TECHNIQUES OF DICTATORSHIP How do they gain and

TECHNIQUES OF DICTATORSHIP How do they gain and maintain power?

Dictatorships �Some nations/leaders completely reject the principles of liberalism – they are not illiberal, as they do not claim to support liberal ideas , rather they openly oppose the principles of liberal governments “The majority represents not only ignorance but cowardice … The majority can never replace the man” - Adolf Hitler

Dictatorships � Types of dictatorships � Military � Civilian � Theocratic � TOTALITARIAN � A 20 th century phenomenon � Under what conditions do they develop and thrive? � A nation that is unstable � Civil strife � Natural disaster � External threat � Culture of fear � A nation that lacks decisive, honest, fair government � A nation without liberal traditions � An uneducated, uniformed population

How do they gain power? Violent means “coup-d’etat” Manipulating existing democratic structures Hereditary transfer of power

How do they maintain power? � Great Man Theory � Why not let those with extraordinary abilities lead? � Charisma � Who is able to transfix the public – make you feel as if they are talking directly to, and caring personally for you? � Nationalism � Who can rescue our great nation and restore it to its place of honor?

Great Man Theory Go to http: //news. bbc. co. uk/2/hi/africa/6323449. stm Go to http: //www. worldtribune. com/worldtribune/WTARC /2004/ea_nkorea_06_16. html Go to http: //edition. cnn. com/2004/WORLD/asiapcf/02/16/ kim. birthday. reut/

Charisma What did Albert Speer say about his first encounter with Adolf Hitler? Read from Inside the Third Reich, pages 15 -16

Techniques of Dictatorship Terror and Intimidation Use of secret police, spying Control of the Media Censorship Propaganda Go to http: //www. calvin. edu/academic/cas/gpa/

Techniques of Dictatorship Limits on Dissent Silence any opposition Punishment and Reward

Techniques of Dictatorship Controlled Participation Give the appearance of the people having a voice or role Indoctrination Education, brainwashing Go back to http: //www. calvin. edu/ academic/cas/gpa/

Techniques of Dictatorship Directing popular discontent Scapegoating Go to http: //www. calvin. edu/academic/cas/gpa/