Talk:Dictatorship

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The pape[edit]

Erm, he answers to the cardinals? After his election? I'm no Catholic, but I'm fairly sure he is not obliged to do so. PacWalker 07:06, 31 March 2015 (UTC)

I think you're right - hence my revision. Let's see if it sticks. ScepticWombat (talk) 07:16, 31 March 2015 (UTC)
The decisions of the Pope are only infallible insofar as they are based on either the Scripture or the Church teachings. For instance the Pope cannot just declare one day that Mormonism is the true religion and that all Catholics should convert to Mormonism, Church teaching and arguably the Bible itself wouldn't support such a declaration. Therefore the conclusion that we can come to is that the Pope, despite basically being an elected monarch/dictator, is not above the rule of law. Given that it is sort of assumed that dictators are above the rule of law (whatever that may be in any given country) the status of the Pope is therefore rather fuzzy. (While I am not Catholic I have looked into the doctrine of Papal infallibility) Alsto003 (talk) 01:43, 2 April 2015 (UTC) Alex

Transforming the examples list on its own article[edit]

We have a hefty, but not a exhausting list on this article. Maybe we should consider either purging the list or creating an article featuring most of the dictators in the world's history. Thoughts? GeeJayK (talk) 01:52, 9 September 2022 (UTC)

This article, like many others, needs major rewrites to remove the giant lists and add more actual substance. Pizza SLICE.gifChef Moosolini’s Ristorante ItalianoMake a Reservation 02:29, 9 September 2022 (UTC)
That's one of the reasons why I believe this giant list should go, but IMHO we don't need to nuke the whole thing, we can use it to create a new, missional article. I usually hate listicles, but a list of dictator sounds interesting. GeeJayK (talk) 02:54, 9 September 2022 (UTC)
It's reasonable to split off the list part to stand as a separate article that can either be improved separately or AfD-ed. Bongolian (talk) 02:56, 9 September 2022 (UTC)
Let’s make that article.Jakester499 (talk) (contributions) 23:33, 22 October 2023 (UTC)

Examples of dictators[edit]

I don't think we need this hefty list of "examples". Now, don't get me wrong, I hate listicles as much as the next guy, but a more an exhaustive list might be missional. My proposal: delete the list on this article and create another article featuring actual dictators. Thoughts? GeeJayKWhere all evil dwells Where every lie is true 22:52, 3 November 2022 (UTC)

It seems reasonable to me to split it. Bongolian (talk) 23:16, 3 November 2022 (UTC)
I want to delete the listicle, but I guess splitting it off is fine too. Pizza SLICE.gifChef Moosolini’s Ristorante ItalianoMake a Reservation 23:28, 3 November 2022 (UTC)
Very well, I'll start a draft in in a couple of days. GeeJayKWhere all evil dwells Where every lie is true 01:27, 4 November 2022 (UTC)
Yeah do that. I saw the talk page in a recent change and fully expected it to be a discussion about an eye-searing list. --It's-a me, Lgm sigpic.png LeftyGreenMario! 01:33, 4 November 2022 (UTC)

Another weakness of dictators[edit]

Succession issues.

Franco (nominating Juan Carlos) is the most notable 'benign transition', and there are some examples of 'keeping it in the family' (Kims, North Korea, Duvaliers, Haiti) - but otherwise?

It is in the dictator's personal interest that there are no 'strong successor candidates' - which creates a weakness when the transition becomes necessary (eg if [usually he] becomes non-competent, particularly if there is a long decline (so nobody decides 'something has to be done' until it is too late). Anna Livia (talk) 20:27, 30 July 2023 (UTC)

This is already discussed in the article. Pizza SLICE.gifChef Moosolini’s Ristorante ItalianoMake a Reservation 20:38, 30 July 2023 (UTC)

Timothy D. Snyder[edit]

There are few people less qualified to talk about resisting tyranny than Timothy D. Snyder. He is a moron who does not know what he is talking about, especially with that 'defend institutions' and 'Be a patriot' bullshit. A somebody. (talk) 00:00, 23 October 2023 (UTC)

What institutions would we be defending? The police tend to support Trump, for instance, and I feel that since their job is law enforcement and 'not protection of the public, defending "policing" as an institution is irrelevant to combatting authoritarianism, and possibly counterproductive. Carthage (talk) 00:02, 23 October 2023 (UTC)
What is your game monarchist? A somebody. (talk) 20:44, 25 October 2023 (UTC)
Removing an entire section's worth for no reason other than "because Timothy Snyder is a moron" is specious and liable to get you reverted. Carthage (talk) 20:48, 25 October 2023 (UTC)
Yeah sure buddy. And besides, you said yourself that he is a moron. A somebody. (talk) 20:50, 25 October 2023 (UTC)
Yeah, whatever. Troll Carthage (talk) 20:50, 25 October 2023 (UTC)
The only troll here is you, because your existence is seemingly devoted to messing with me. A somebody. (talk) 21:27, 25 October 2023 (UTC)