Autocracy, Inc.: The Dictators Who Want to Run the World

Autocracy, Inc.: The Dictators Who Want to Run the World by Anne Applebaum

Autocratic leaders use the modern capitalistic mechanism to prop up their states. Countries such as Zimbabwe and Venezuela maintain corrupt regimes that enrich their leaders at the expense of the people. They may claim to be right wing or left wing, but are primarily interested in the supporting the leaders' wealth. They use various offshore accounts and shell companies to help carry out their missions. Larger states like Russia and China are more sophisticated. They help support an ideology and gain from a vast network. They are more likely to put forth extensive effort to influence public opinion in their favor.

I couldn't help but think that leaders have not changed. We have seemed to move beyond "kings", yet many state leaders desire to establish themselves as king. The "states" end up looking pretty similar to the leaders of corporations. They have absolute control. While there are elections, they have very little meaning and are generally there to ensure that the "correct" person wins. The democratic populace can be easily persuaded. Giving everyone the right to vote means that even the most ignorant or gullible has a role in selecting the leaders. It does not take much to manipulate, either with forceful actions or subtle social media interventions. Leaders may advocate certain "popular" policies in order to overcome all their other human rights violations. Most people benefit, but only a few are hurt. Most of these autocrats control resources that others need. External powers could care less how the government is run as long as they can continue to receive their natural resources.

Is there a solution? The author advocates some, but it is hard to know if these will be successful. It is easy to accumulate vast power today. People will continue to want to do that. As long as they have appropriate ways to bargain, there will be somebody that will be willing to look the other way at human rights abuses. Online lynch mobs can easily turn up to attack unpopular policies or favor those advocating what they want. Polarized politics can lead to even the worst autocrat be favored simply because the other side dislikes them. It is hard to envision a "solution" that doesn't entail mass changes in our entire culture.