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coming to power and attempts at an appearance of legitimacy
'''Dictator''' is originally the title of a [[Roman dictator|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 [[Political absolutism|absolutist]] or [[Autocracy|autocratic]] ruler who assumes sole power over the state (though the term is normally not applied to an [[absolute monarch]]). Like the term [[Tyrant|tyrant]], originally a respectable Ancient title, and to a lesser degree [[Autocrat|autocrat]], it came to be used almost exclusively as a non-titular term for oppressive, even abusive, despot who rules preemptively and with no regard for any existing 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, including "rendition," [[torture]], disappearances, pervasive surveillance and the repeal of existing [[human rights]] laws, become the norm in societies ruled by dictators. Summary execution 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 [[Roman dictator|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 [[Political absolutism|absolutist]] or [[Autocracy|autocratic]] ruler who assumes sole power over the state (though the term is normally not applied to an [[absolute monarch]]). Like the term [[Tyrant|tyrant]], originally a respectable Ancient title, and to a lesser degree [[Autocrat|autocrat]], it came to be used almost exclusively as a non-titular term for oppressive, even abusive, despot who rules preemptively and with no regard for any existing 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, including "rendition," [[torture]], disappearances, pervasive surveillance and the repeal of existing [[human rights]] laws, become the norm in societies ruled by dictators. Summary execution 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.
Since the nature of dictatorship is fundamentally at odds with the principals of [[democracy]], dictators are usually condemned by the international community. Consequently, many adopt tactics to try and give their regime an air of legitimacy, such as holding sham or coerced [[election]]s, or declaring a state of emergency in the country with the implication that democracy will be restored in due course (almost always an empty promise).
Notable dictators in world history have included [[Adolph Hitler]], Chancellor of Germany from 1933-45, [[Josef Stalin]], General Secretary of the Communist Party of the [[Soviet Union]] from 1928-53, [[Pol Pot]], head of the [[Khmer Rouge]] and ruler of [[Cambodia]] (or Kampuchea) from 1963-98, [[Mao Tzedong]], ruler of China from 1945-76, and [[Islam Karimov]], current ruler of Uzbekistan since 1991, [[Kim Jong Il]] of [[North Korea]], and [[Muamar Ghaddafi]], long-time terrorist leader of [[Libya]].
Notable dictators in world history have included [[Adolph Hitler]], Chancellor of Germany from 1933-45, [[Josef Stalin]], General Secretary of the Communist Party of the [[Soviet Union]] from 1928-53, [[Pol Pot]], head of the [[Khmer Rouge]] and ruler of [[Cambodia]] (or Kampuchea) from 1963-98, [[Mao Tzedong]], ruler of China from 1945-76, and [[Islam Karimov]], current ruler of Uzbekistan since 1991, [[Kim Jong Il]] of [[North Korea]], and [[Muamar Ghaddafi]], long-time terrorist leader of [[Libya]].