Difference between revisions of "Dictatorship"
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| − | A '''dictatorship''' | + | A '''dictatorship''' is a [[political]] system of [[government]] in which a single person (the [[dictator]]) has absolute [[power]], because no legal process exists by which the leader can be removed from office against his will. Many ancient political systems were effectively dictatorships, although the term is usually used only in the modern context, where [[democracy]] exists as an alternative. |
| − | In modern usage "dictatorship" has developed an unfortunate and unnecessary negative connotation. | + | In modern usage "dictatorship" has developed an unfortunate and unnecessary negative connotation. [[God]] blesses dictators, provided that they are justly God-fearing: |
<blockquote> | <blockquote> | ||
"''He who rules over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God''. And he shall be like the light of the morning when the sun rises, a morning without clouds, like the tender grass springing out of the earth, by clear shining after rain." (2 Sam 23:3-4) | "''He who rules over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God''. And he shall be like the light of the morning when the sun rises, a morning without clouds, like the tender grass springing out of the earth, by clear shining after rain." (2 Sam 23:3-4) | ||
</blockquote> | </blockquote> | ||
| − | |||
<blockquote>"Select capable men from all the people -- ''men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain'' -- and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens." (Exod 18:21) </blockquote> | <blockquote>"Select capable men from all the people -- ''men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain'' -- and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens." (Exod 18:21) </blockquote> | ||
| − | |||
<blockquote>“When good people run things, everyone is glad.” (Proverbs 29:2)</blockquote> | <blockquote>“When good people run things, everyone is glad.” (Proverbs 29:2)</blockquote> | ||
| − | |||
<blockquote>“A nation will prosper when its ruler is mature, and its leaders don't party too much.” (Ecclesiastes 10:17)</blockquote> | <blockquote>“A nation will prosper when its ruler is mature, and its leaders don't party too much.” (Ecclesiastes 10:17)</blockquote> | ||
| − | |||
<blockquote>"Now therefore, be wise, O Kings; Be instructed, you judges of the earth. ''Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling''." (Ps 2:10-11) | <blockquote>"Now therefore, be wise, O Kings; Be instructed, you judges of the earth. ''Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling''." (Ps 2:10-11) | ||
</blockquote> | </blockquote> | ||
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==Examples of bad dictators== | ==Examples of bad dictators== | ||
| − | |||
*[[China]] | *[[China]] | ||
*[[North Korea]] | *[[North Korea]] | ||
| Line 33: | Line 28: | ||
==Dictatorship in Fiction== | ==Dictatorship in Fiction== | ||
| − | Most often for dystopian or bleak futures, dictatorships are the governing systems, such as in [[Ayn Rand]]'s Anthem and [[Atlas Shrugged]], George Orwell's [[Nineteen Eighty-Four]], Ray Bradbury's [[Fahrenheit 451]] or Aldous Huxley's [[Brave New World]]. | + | Most often for [[dystopian]] or bleak futures, dictatorships are the governing systems, such as in [[Ayn Rand]]'s Anthem and [[Atlas Shrugged]], George Orwell's [[Nineteen Eighty-Four]], Ray Bradbury's [[Fahrenheit 451]] or Aldous Huxley's [[Brave New World]]. |
| + | |||
| + | ==Quotes== | ||
| + | * [[Ronald Reagan]] famously said, "The ten most dangerous words in the English language are "Hi, I'm from the government, and I'm here to help." | ||
| + | * Among conservatives, [[libertarian]]s and [[anarchist]]s, "The State" referred to in "Statism" is [[big government]] that derives its power through [[coercion]] via the threat of violence. According to conservative libertarian pundit [[Stefan Molyneux]], "The idea that The State is capable of solving social problems is now viewed with great skepticism - which foretells a coming change. As soon as [[skepticism]] is applied to the State, the State falls, since it fails at everything except increasing its power, and so can only survive on [[propaganda]], which relies on unquestioning faith."<ref>[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1919879/bio?ref_=nmbio_ql_dyk_1#quotes Quotes from Stefan on IMDB.com]. Accessed January 25, 2016</ref> | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
| − | *[[Dictatorship and democracy]] | + | * [[Dictatorship and democracy]] |
| − | *[[Dictatorships and double standards]] | + | * [[Dictatorships and double standards]] |
| + | * [[Totalitarianism]] | ||
| + | * [[Statism]] and [[statist]]s | ||
| + | ** [[Big government]] | ||
| + | ** [[Welfare state]] | ||
| + | ** [[Nanny state]] | ||
| + | ** [[Police state]] | ||
| + | ==References== | ||
<references /> | <references /> | ||
| + | |||
[[Category:Forms of Government]] | [[Category:Forms of Government]] | ||
[[Category:Dictatorships]] | [[Category:Dictatorships]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Anti-American]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Police State]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Welfare State]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Anti Second Amendment]] | ||
Revision as of 02:37, June 7, 2017
A dictatorship is a political system of government in which a single person (the dictator) has absolute power, because no legal process exists by which the leader can be removed from office against his will. Many ancient political systems were effectively dictatorships, although the term is usually used only in the modern context, where democracy exists as an alternative.
In modern usage "dictatorship" has developed an unfortunate and unnecessary negative connotation. God blesses dictators, provided that they are justly God-fearing:
"He who rules over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God. And he shall be like the light of the morning when the sun rises, a morning without clouds, like the tender grass springing out of the earth, by clear shining after rain." (2 Sam 23:3-4)
"Select capable men from all the people -- men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain -- and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens." (Exod 18:21)
“When good people run things, everyone is glad.” (Proverbs 29:2)
“A nation will prosper when its ruler is mature, and its leaders don't party too much.” (Ecclesiastes 10:17)
"Now therefore, be wise, O Kings; Be instructed, you judges of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling." (Ps 2:10-11)
The Greek philosopher Socrates approves the Philosopher-King as an improvement over democracy in Plato's influential book The Republic. Solomon of Israel and Li Quan Yew of Singapore are examples of blessed dictators in the ancient world and modern world respective[1]
The difference between dictatorship and democracy, [President Herbert] Hoover liked to say, was simple: dictators organize from the top down, democracies from the bottom up.[2]
Examples of bad dictators
- China
- North Korea
- The former Soviet Union under Stalin and Lenin
- Nazi Germany
- Communist Romania
- Cuba
- Zimbabwe
- Cambodia under Pol Pot
- Hosni Mubarak of Egypt
Dictatorship in Fiction
Most often for dystopian or bleak futures, dictatorships are the governing systems, such as in Ayn Rand's Anthem and Atlas Shrugged, George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four, Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 or Aldous Huxley's Brave New World.
Quotes
- Ronald Reagan famously said, "The ten most dangerous words in the English language are "Hi, I'm from the government, and I'm here to help."
- Among conservatives, libertarians and anarchists, "The State" referred to in "Statism" is big government that derives its power through coercion via the threat of violence. According to conservative libertarian pundit Stefan Molyneux, "The idea that The State is capable of solving social problems is now viewed with great skepticism - which foretells a coming change. As soon as skepticism is applied to the State, the State falls, since it fails at everything except increasing its power, and so can only survive on propaganda, which relies on unquestioning faith."[3]
