Does it matter what ideology a dictator claims?

Question

monorprise · Accepted Answer

Dictators don't trust people to govern themselfs which is itself an ideological position in most countries. The broader ideology of the dictator however is a refection of how far he or she goes in that direction and thus how much freedom you will retain.

It is far better to live under Mussolini or Hitler than Joe Stalin or Mao as you generally have a better chance of escaping starvation, while your chances of avoiding a death camp are not too different.

Kaneki05 · Accepted Answer

Of course. One maybe more likely or less likely to follow one based upon it.
I know myself would be more inclined to follow the one who isn't just doing genocide cause of their race. That's not really one I could get behind.
It's like if you have to kill people, at least don't be racist about it ya know?
I jest but it's true.

purplepoppy · Accepted Answer

The important thing is not to let the conditions develop that gives rise to these people. We often forget how bad things were in Russia China etc and its under those conditions that extrememist get listened to by the masses. It doesn't matter what ideology they claim, people would have followed them anyway.

CupcakeTheDestroyer · Accepted Answer

The road to Hell is paved with good intentions.

No matter how well you might mean, dictatorships cause harm and they see it as justifiable in exchange for power and command over others. Dictatorship on any end of the political spectrum is an extreme and rarely welcomed.

Anonymous · Answer

No.

Dictators throughout history have a certain pattern of events, pattern of behavior, pattern of words & actions taken, and can be found out regardless of ideology one claims.

There have been dictatorships around the world and continue to be, therefore with such high differences in region you wouldn’t think it could happen…. Though it can when people want absolute power and crave more power on top of it, especially once a govt submits & allows for such power to take its toll and overstay its welcome. A dictator doesn’t step down willingly, they are overthrown by foreign interference or by its people.

Maybe_Maybe_not · Answer

Yes, for strategical reasons, because  dictators' political ideologies are not interchangeable . They are tailored to a country's history and political philosophy. Masses are exploitable only it the tale told is contextually resonating to values. As a dictator, you wouldn't want to try anything related to collectivism in a country historically established in individualism, for example.  You have to press the right buttons in the right country, in the right context.

jshm2 · Answer

No.

A knife in the belly doesn't hurt less because it was a right wing nut, rather than a left wing socialist.

The reality is a "dictator" doesn't give a shit about ideology, it's his or her backers and financiers who play those games to garner support.

puurikke · Answer

In the end it doesn’t matter if you get oppressed or killed because you are a capitalist, socialist, academic or farmer. Nor because of your religion or the colour of your skin.
Authoritarianism is scary af, before you know it you live in a dictatorship. Way to many start of as democracies.

NewWaves · Answer

Nope. That would imply that some are better than others. Or more palatable.  Although, for some reason, just want to throw this out there... not to confuse with monarchy

genericname85 · Answer

I mean dictatorship is pretty much the same as a monarchy. There can be "good" dictators or monarchs. There's no rich history of "good dictators". But in principle, that could be a thing.

RavVid · Answer

No. It does matter that there is correct thought and incorrect thought. It matters that the leader is the font of correct thinking. It very much matters that part of the correct thinking that people only realize the full potential true happiness as a cog in the state apparatus.

After that it proceeds on the same grounds that some people betray the state and need to be off'ed.

Anonymous · Answer

What do they all have in common? The audacity to stand up and declare whatever they said was how it was.

PsychicBoobs · Answer

I'd be inclined to tell the wife. She's the most invested in the mess. He has a toasty spot waiting for him.

Juxtapose · Answer

Of course it does. Would you rather have the overlord that is going to be gleeful about disemboweling your whole family and is pretty open about it or the one who at the very least says they're going to keep your family safe? Which one are you going to place your bets on?

Zack-Bann · Answer

The child in me wants to get all righteous and say no

But the pragmatic adult in me knows not every dictator is a bad dictator and yes a dictatorship under the right circumstances and for the right reasons can indeed work

DrPepper12 · Answer

Not at all. Any belief system is the opiate of the masses. Exhibit A

NathanDavis · Answer

yeah... because all, or most of their propaganda had to align with it... aren't you in the marketing business? lol

Oliverskier · Answer

Actions speak louder than words from someone. Also others views matter more than a persons view of themselves when judging them.

Garud · Answer

Ideology, faiths and beliefs used as a group identity can be a good weapon in the hands of smart people

thenerdone · Answer

Horseshoe theory is inaccurate, it's actually a circle.

OlofssonBengtsson · Answer

I mean it's important to learn about history and how things lead to that.

Snakeyes7 · Answer

Yes, otherwise they wouldn't have the support necessary to reach the position of leadership to begin with. All propaganda afterwards are designed to maintain that power.

imfreeze95 · Answer

If they are used to oppress people it doesn’t matter what the ideology is.

Deserter2 · Answer

No, but tbf, Hitler and others made things great for their people. So the policies were fine, the dictatorship and genocide were the issue. But people won't admit that cause it was Hitler

Penelope79 · Answer

They blame minorities for everything. And immigrants for everything.

Crazzyyworld · Answer

I think Stalin is hot. Am I spoiled?

Dargil · Answer

You're fukkin' up OBM. No Trump picture?

Sevenpointfive · Answer

in what sense? it shouldn't.

Sabretooth · Answer

the wrapper is whatever is popular.

Anonymous · Answer

Justin Trudeau claims to be a liberal.

CarolinaGirl5 · Answer

I'm not even answering this silly question bye

ChefPapiChulo · Answer

In terms to what?

msc545 · Answer

To some extent it definitely matters.

Does it matter what ideology a dictator claims?

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