05 March 2025 Dictatorship: Coercion, Money, Persuasion, and Monarchical Rule

Overview of Dictatorship and Democracy

• Many students scored at least 10/20 in the initial assessment, indicating a basic understanding of the material.

• The new section focuses on dictatorial forms of government, highlighting its impact globally.

Definition of Dictatorship

• Dictatorship has historically been the dominant form of government, contrasting with democracy, which is more recent.

• Democracy is becoming less common than dictatorship in some regions today, despite historical fluctuations.

Key Themes in the Study of Dictatorship

• Delegation of Power: Rulers, including dictators, require subordinates to enforce their rule. It is not a solo endeavor.

• Critical Roles: Key positions beneath dictators involve specialists in coercion, money, and persuasion.

Specialists in Dictatorships

1. Coercion

• Utilizes force to uphold the regime's power, involving:

  • Military: The army protects against foreign powers and, at times, internal dissent.

  • Police: Maintains domestic order; modern police forces began in the 19th century.

  • Intelligence Agencies: Agencies like the CIA and FBI play crucial roles in national security and crime prevention.

2. Money

• Dictatorships often rely on a state-controlled bank for:

  • Managing currency and inflation.

  • Generating revenue through taxation.

  • Protecting personal wealth from potential overthrow.

3. Persuasion

• Involves the use of propaganda and ideological education to maintain support:

  • Media outlets and clergy disseminate information to shape public opinion.

  • Control over narratives is essential for legitimacy.

Theory and Structure in Dictatorships

• The Anna Karenina Principle illustrates the similarities among democracies ('happy families') compared to the diverse nature of dictatorships ('unhappy families').

• Power Sharing and Control Issues: Two main challenges faced by dictatorships are:

  • Power sharing among elites is necessary for stability.

  • Maintaining control over the populace involves managing popular discontent.

Typology of Dictatorships

• Types of Dictatorships:

  • Monarchic: Examples include Saudi Arabia and Oman.

  • Military: Typically relies on force and control.

  • Civilian: Sub-divided into dominant party (single political party) and personalist (focused on a single leader).

Monarchical Dictatorships

• Monarchies can be democratic or authoritarian, with examples of both existing today.

• Most monarchies today are found in Asia and the Middle East, particularly in the Persian Gulf region.

• Monarchical regimes often exhibit stability due to clearer rules regarding power distribution and societal norms.

Stability of Monarchical Dictatorships

Victor Menaldo's Analysis

• Menaldo suggests that monarchical dictatorships like those in Saudi Arabia exhibit lower political violence and greater stability compared to other regimes during crises.

• Reasons for Monarchical Stability:

  • Defined insider/outsider rules among royal family members.

  • Norms regarding sharing of resources reinforce commitment.

  • Institutions within the monarchy monitor leaders and enforce compliance with promises.

Case Study: Saudi Arabia

• Saudi Arabia is marked by:

  • Rich oil reserves and state control via Aramco.

  • Geographical significance as it houses Islam's holiest cities, Mecca and Medina.

  • Monarchic roots trace back to the Abdul al Saud family since the early 1800s.

  • Control over religious sites is pivotal in establishing legitimacy both domestically and globally.

Conclusion

• Overall, understanding the structure and operational mechanisms within dictatorships, especially monarchic forms, is crucial for comprehending their resilience and the interplay between power, coercion, and public compliance.