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20-08-2010, 17:01 #1
Dictatorship 101 with Gunsite bonus question!
http://www.health24.com/news/Columns/1-4411,57895.asp
As we seem to be sliding slowly towards an NP-style dictatorship in SA, Susan Erasmus thought a quick refresher course would be in order for the powers-that-be.
It's not my fault that I came to consciousness slap bang in the middle of the National party's heyday in South Africa. I had little choice as to where I was born. I never thought that close observation of the heinous methods of operation of that government would ever help me later in life, but they sure have helped me with this column.
You have to hand it to them: they knew about dictatorships. Clearly not much about anything else, but, hey, even a stopped clock is right twice a day. So thanks PW. Never thought I would feel the need to say thanks, but here it is.
So what prompts the rise of dictatorships? There are many things, but certainly among them you can count the following: arrogance, power trips, paranoia, and hands that are in the cookie jar up to the elbows.
So if you want to establish an effective dictatorship, here's how to go about it. You can't leave any of this out – it will create a weak spot, an Achilles heel, which is where the enemy will get you. So pay attention. This is going to be in the exam.
Attack the media. The pen is mightier than the sword and all that. You need to put a swift end to that, so use the sword to cut the pen in half. You can't just have people saying any old thing in public, can you? Especially if they're saying nasty things about you and especially if they're true. Hell, who hasn't got something to hide? Get control of the TV stations, and arrest a few journalists, or even better, newspaper editors. Preferably on a Friday. A weekend in the cells will make them think about their sins.
Divine right to rule. You have to believe that God wants you in that seat. With God sitting on your shoulder, the sky's the limit. It justifies everything you do, and gives it a certain gravitas. Don't waste any time thinking of the fact that God isn't really interested in petty politics and by-elections. He's on the side of justice. But for the sake of your career, you just need to turn a blind eye to that. Amen.
Attack the opposition. Dismiss all criticism of you and your policies as 'unpatriotic'. Call your opponents counter-revolutionaries. Harass them, and intimate that they do not have the best interests of the country at heart. Only you do. And if someone is not with you, they must be against you. A few arrests and a car accident or two could go a long way to driving that point home. Also ignore the way your supporters behave, but focus huge attention on the doings of the opposition.
Dismantle institutions that hold a threat. This includes the judiciary. You can't have judges who come up with unpredictable verdicts now, can you? They're paid by the state, so they should know where their loyalties lie. Come on, you've been around the block a few times. Surely you know a few lawyers who'll take your side? There's a white wig waiting for each of them. Oh yes, and while you're about it, get rid of investigative units in the police service who get too big for their boots.
Legislate the impossible. Don't accept that there are certain things over which you have no control. Like the inflation rate, the weather, the economy and so forth. Show them who is boss. If you say there will be 500 000 new jobs by Christmas, it will just have to happen, won't it? And if people in foreign countries laugh at you, just tell them they're colonialist, capitalist pigs and you don't need their money.
Lie to the electorate. They don't really know what's best for them. You do. If you lie, just be consistent. For months the NP government denied that SADF troops were in Angola, despite the fact that people's husbands and sons came back from army service with very different stories. If they can get away with it, so can you. Deny that there is corruption in the government in the same week you appoint a committee to look into the finances of hospitals, municipalities and some government departments. This should give your credibility a real boost.
Rob the state blind. Treat the state coffers like your personal ATM. After all, you ARE the state. Never forget that. Need a new jet? A helipad? Home renovations? You only have to say the word. People don't want a leader who looks poor, whatever condition they might find themselves in.
Favour cronies. Appoint people who are loyal to you in positions where they can get top salaries. After all, they do deserve to be rewarded. The second-in-command can run the office, state department, hospital, municipality. Cushy jobs are like Christmas presents you can hand out to those who have been good. It will keep them in line.
Appoint yes-men as advisors. Who wants to have a traitor close to home? Get people who will only tell you what you want to hear. Everyone else is clearly disloyal and do not have your best interests at heart. If someone upsets you with criticism, fire them. That way you will think you look good more or less right to the end. What more could you want?
View the constitution as an enemy. The constitution was obviously put together by pie-in-the-sky liberalists, who had little idea of what it takes to stay in power. All this emphasis on free and fair elections. Who in their right mind would ever hold an election unless they're absolutely sure of victory? But then, console yourself with the fact that elections can be rigged, and voters intimidated when necessary.
This should do for starters. A little later on in the course comes the bit on state security and security police, and the creation of a non-existent enemy you can use to threaten the populace and make yourself more paranoid. But for the moment, this is quite enough. Besides, you have a holiday to plan and military medals to order. You are all busy and you have a country to ruin.
---------- Post added at 17:01 ---------- Previous post was at 16:59 ----------
Now what very important point did the columnist leave out?
1) Disarm the populace
2) Disarm the populace
or
3) Disarm the populace.Recent studies show that 1 out of every 3 liberals are just as dumb as the other 2
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