How to Establish a Dictatorship

Stalin, Hitler, Castro, and Bonaparte; as vile as their intentions were, as humans they were masterminds, geniuses. Not just anyone can take power and oppress their people at their will. The steps to a dictatorship are sometimes blurred when the actual dictator in the making is idolized by his citizens. Only those one the outside can truly see what's going on.

Step number one, get to power first. If the country is a democracy and elections are held, then win the election. If it is an absolute monarchy, then one has to be crowned by birth. If the government is collapsing, then just taking the capital with troops and performing a coup de etat is a sure way to gain power. Hitler became Chancellor of Germany by appointment and Napoleon Bonaparte was just a great leader promising many lies. Once establishing their presences, one can now move on to harvest followers.

Gaining respect in the public eye and a mass of followers is the next step. Brainwashing techniques such as free medical care, free schooling, and abolition of unpopular laws are ways to attract people. Dictators-to-be have to create an image for themselves and they themselves have to symbolize "the good". This is the critical point where one will know if their plan will work or fail. Having fanatics is the launching pad to manipulating their minds. Basically, create a cult. Plaster one's face on advertisements, commercials, coffee mugs, and all over supermarkets.

To people, vibrant leaders are the law and God. Whatever they propose, people will agree with as long as it is within the realm of reasonability. Now they are hooked and the dictator's true intentions are sugar-coated.

Step number three, nationalize everything. The shutting down of a free nation comes with owning every vital aspect of its citizen's lives. Nationalizing television, radio, newspapers, utilities (water, electricity, gas), property, schools, and large firms are what give the dictator his control. If he controls what makes the country move, he controls the country. By this point, the people are still oblivious to what is going on.

Step number four, mobilize. This step should start developing even before the dictator takes power. Having a strong army to back all the new changes is essential. This way it is easy to crush any rebellions or obstacles on the way up. Having troops all over the place will give people a sense of security and progress to that they were used to before. It also gives the dictator an easy hand and imposing his will.

Step number five; get rid of all remaining pawns. And by this it is meant, rid of any leaders in high standing positions that may impede a total autocracy. If one is a vice president, get rid of the president. If one is the president, get rid of the cabinet. Abolish every position above and below. Then fill the spots with influential henchmen that do not pose any threat, but instead aid in the establishment of a dictatorship. These individuals and their families usually get benefits.

Step number six, do as pleased. Whatever the primitive goal was since the beginning, exert. If wished to take over a neighboring country, do so. If wished to become wealthy using other's resources, do so. If wished just to rule people out of spite and play with them like Sims, do so. But please remember that doing any of the previously mentioned may cause the break out of WWIII, or similar events. Exercise power with caution.