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'''Dictator''' is originally the title of a [[magistrate]] in [[ancient Rome]] appointed by the [[Roman Senate|Senate]] to rule the state in times of emergency. In modern usage, it refers to an absolutist or [[autocratic]] ruler who assumes sole power over the state (though the term is normally not applied to an [[monarch|absolute monarch]]). Like the term [[Tyrant|tyrant]], and to a lesser degree autocrat, it was a respectable title in the ancient world, but has some come to be used almost exclusively as a non-titular term for [[Category:Oppression|oppressive]], even abusive, [[despot]] who rules with no regard for any existing [[constitutional]] [[democratic]] structures, organs or other entities. Almost always marked by a resilient resistance to reality and rational thought. This enables the dictator to act in a manner otherwise impossible. As such, grave [[human rights]] violations, [[torture]], disappearances, pervasive [[police state]] [[surveillance]] and the repeal of existing [[human rights]] laws and ignoring [[Bill of Rights|constitutional protections]], become the norm in societies ruled by dictators (even when "democratically" elected by the "majority"). Summary [[execution]]<ref> http://www.wnd.com/2013/02/when-a-republican-murders-u-s-citizens by [[Ted Nugent]] Accessed March 28, 2014</ref> by [[Executive Order]]<ref>"Few things are as dangerous to [[America]]n [[liberty]] as the proposition that the [[government]] should be able to kill [[citizen]]s anywhere in the world on the basis of legal standards and evidence that are never submitted to a [[court]], either before or after the fact. Anyone willing to trust President [[Obama]] with the power to secretly declare an American [[citizen]] an [[enemy of the state]] and order his [[extrajudicial]] killing should ask whether they would be willing to trust the next president with that dangerous power." http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/05/us-targeted-killings-eric-holder_n_1320515.html Accessed March 28, 2014</ref> is the punishment of choice for a wide variety of offenses, both [[criminal]] and [[political]], under the rule of a dictator.

'''Dictator''' is originally the title of a [[magistrate]] in [[ancient Rome]] appointed by the [[Roman Senate|Senate]] to rule the state in times of emergency. In modern usage, it refers to an absolutist or [[autocratic]] ruler who assumes sole power over the state (though the term is normally not applied to an [[monarch|absolute monarch]]). Like the term [[Tyrant|tyrant]], and to a lesser degree autocrat, it was a respectable title in the ancient world, but has some come to be used almost exclusively as a non-titular term for oppressive, even abusive, [[despot]] who rules with no regard for any existing [[constitutional]] [[democratic]] structures, organs or other entities. Almost always marked by a resilient resistance to reality and rational thought. This enables the dictator to act in a manner otherwise impossible. As such, grave [[human rights]] violations, [[torture]], disappearances, pervasive [[police state]] [[surveillance]] and the repeal of existing [[human rights]] laws and ignoring [[Bill of Rights|constitutional protections]], become the norm in societies ruled by dictators (even when "democratically" elected by the "majority"). Summary [[execution]]<ref> http://www.wnd.com/2013/02/when-a-republican-murders-u-s-citizens by [[Ted Nugent]] Accessed March 28, 2014</ref> by [[Executive Order]]<ref>"Few things are as dangerous to [[America]]n [[liberty]] as the proposition that the [[government]] should be able to kill [[citizen]]s anywhere in the world on the basis of legal standards and evidence that are never submitted to a [[court]], either before or after the fact. Anyone willing to trust President [[Obama]] with the power to secretly declare an American [[citizen]] an [[enemy of the state]] and order his [[extrajudicial]] killing should ask whether they would be willing to trust the next president with that dangerous power." http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/05/us-targeted-killings-eric-holder_n_1320515.html Accessed March 28, 2014</ref> is the punishment of choice for a wide variety of offenses, both [[criminal]] and [[political]], under the rule of a dictator.

Dictators come to power in a variety of ways. They can be elected fairly and then refuse to give up power; they may seize control of the country in a [[coup d'etat]]; or they may be placed in power as the puppet of a stronger country that desires influence in the region. Alternatively, some countries such as the former [[Soviet Union]] are ruled by a single party which appoints a succession of dictators without regard for its people; this is known as a systemic dictatorship.

Dictators come to power in a variety of ways. They can be elected fairly and then refuse to give up power; they may seize control of the country in a [[coup d'etat]]; or they may be placed in power as the puppet of a stronger country that desires influence in the region. Alternatively, some countries such as the former [[Soviet Union]] are ruled by a single party which appoints a succession of dictators without regard for its people; this is known as a systemic dictatorship.

==See also==

==See also==

* [[Dictatorship]]

* [[Dictatorship]]

** [[List of dictators]]

* [[List of dictators]]

** [[Friendly dictator]]

* [[Friendly dictator]]

 

==References==

==References==

[[Category:Government]]

[[Category:Government]]

[[Category:Roman History]]

[[Category:Roman History]]

[[Category:Political Terms]]

[[Category:Political Terms]]