CPO-2002 Lecture 43: Lecture 43
Document Summary
A monarchy relies on kin and family network to come to power and stay in power. Military dictatorships are often ruled by committee, or junta. The size of the junta varies, according to whether the ruler needs to build support to consolidate power. The biggest threat to stability is more military coups. A civilian dictatorship relies on regime parties or personality cults to stay in power. A dominant-party dictatorship is where one party dominates office and control over policy. A personalistic dictatorship is where the leader controls all policy decisions and selection of regime personnel. Parties and the military are purposely weakened to prevent challenges to the regime. Weak press, strong secret police, arbitrary use of force. Personality cults alter the beliefs of the citizenry. Preference falsification means that the leader never knows the true level of societal support. Public belief of outrageous stories represents credible signals of support. Personality cults help the leader hold on to power.
