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America and the Common Characteristics of Authoritarian Regimes
American Thinker ^ | 6 Aug, 2023 | Rajan Laad

Posted on 08/06/2023 4:37:25 AM PDT by MtnClimber

History has shown us that there is a great deal of commonality among dictatorial regimes across the world. So here they are, in no particular order of importance. Perhaps some features may seem familiar.

Rigged Elections

Dictatorial regimes are aware that the world looks upon them with consternation due to their repression of the citizenry. Hence, they stage periodic elections where the result is predecided. The leader anointed by the establishment always wins with an unprecedented majority.

To achieve this landslide victory, ballot boxes are stuffed, counting is rigged, electronic voting machines are tampered with, opposition candidates are baselessly smeared, voting rules manipulated to facilitate easy rigging, and neutral observers are banned.

In North Korea, voting is mandatory, but you receive a ballot paper with just one name on it. There's nothing to fill in, no boxes to tick. You put the paper into the ballot box.

Media Control

In authoritarian countries, the media is the propaganda wing of the regime. Every syllable that appears is approved by the regime. There may be a variety of news outlets, but all of them follow the groupthink assiduously. Violators are dismissed from the mainstream. The regime always works toward hounding and dismantling adversarial media.

When PM Indira Gandhi suspended democracy in India from 1971 to 1977, restricting media freedoms was one of her first actions.

Persecution of Dissidents

The regime knows that a brave new idea works like a flame that sets fire to an entire forest. Hence, they are perpetually on the lookout for the slightest hint of dissent. The goal is to punish dissenters before they can cause damage. It also serves as a deterrent for aspiring dissenters.

In East Germany under the communist regime, it was common for the Stasi secret police to detain dissenters without a warrant.

(Excerpt) Read more at americanthinker.com ...


TOPICS: Society
KEYWORDS: communism

1 posted on 08/06/2023 4:37:25 AM PDT by MtnClimber
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To: MtnClimber

Are we ready for the struggle sessions?


2 posted on 08/06/2023 4:37:40 AM PDT by MtnClimber (For photos of Colorado scenery and wildlife, click on my screen name for my FR home page.)
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To: MtnClimber

3 posted on 08/06/2023 4:42:23 AM PDT by Travis McGee (EnemiesForeignAndDomestic.com)
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To: MtnClimber

4 posted on 08/06/2023 4:43:10 AM PDT by Travis McGee (EnemiesForeignAndDomestic.com)
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To: MtnClimber
Are we ready for the struggle sessions?

One thing we are clearly NOT ready for is to take State power and use it to eradicate our enemies from the political system.

Therefore, the outcome of the present drama is not in doubt.

5 posted on 08/06/2023 4:46:43 AM PDT by Jim Noble (He who saves the nation breaks no law)
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To: MtnClimber

We put a check in every box here.

America has become what we hate the most.


6 posted on 08/06/2023 4:58:03 AM PDT by dforest
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To: MtnClimber
<>"their monosyllabic reply usually is ‘freedom.’"<>

Hmmm..."Two words, Made In America" or "Three-letter word: J-O-B-S!" references come to mind.

7 posted on 08/06/2023 5:30:40 AM PDT by Aevery_Freeman (I choose TRUMP over Tyranny )
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To: Jim Noble

The FBI, CIA, and NSA, are working on that now...but not threatening OUR enemies...threatening US.


8 posted on 08/06/2023 5:35:57 AM PDT by Maelstrom (To prevent misinterpretation or abuse of the Constitution:The Bill of Rights limits government power)
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To: MtnClimber
Those who don't study history are doomed to repeat it.

Those who DO study history are doomed to stand by watching helplessly while everyone else repeats it. *sigh*

9 posted on 08/06/2023 5:40:41 AM PDT by Chad C. Mulligan
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To: MtnClimber

the media is the propaganda wing of the regime


it is also the weak link

it still depends on us voluntarily funding them

stop


10 posted on 08/06/2023 5:50:00 AM PDT by joshua c (to disrupt the system, we must disrupt our lives, cut the cable tv)
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To: MtnClimber

what is at stake here?

the survival of the republic

ready to suit up if it goes hot?

hell yeah

but you cant cut the cable cuz you would miss your favorite show?


11 posted on 08/06/2023 5:54:46 AM PDT by joshua c (to disrupt the system, we must disrupt our lives, cut the cable tv)
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To: MtnClimber

Later.


12 posted on 08/06/2023 7:27:55 AM PDT by wjcsux (On 3/14/1883 Karl Marx gave humanity his best gift, he died. )
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To: MtnClimber

.


13 posted on 08/06/2023 7:52:40 AM PDT by sauropod (I will stand for truth even if I stand alone.)
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To: joshua c

“it still depends on us voluntarily funding them”

I’m sure the State Department and corporations can handle any needed funding. Nobody watches CNN and they do just fine.


14 posted on 08/06/2023 11:06:04 AM PDT by Luke21
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