How a dictatorship is established 101

By Manson Mutumba

You have obviously sat down and ask yourself some questions from time to time, one of them probably wondering how one person can have undemocratic power over a nation of millions of people. If you haven’t, I am sure you will one day. This article is meant to enlighten simple folks like myself on how you and I can establish our own dictatorship.

1. Arise as a hero to people: Do you know that Hitler at one time was celebrated as a great leader that he was featured as a man of the Year in Times Magazine (U.S magazine). I can go on with Stalin and several world leaders that successfully established dictatorships after playing a pivotal role in their nation’s freedom from colonialism. In modern times, these individuals can arise as heroes rescuing their nation’s from corrupt and incompetent regimes. For example, the recent rise of the current Senegalese 40 year old president.

The second way is arising as the heir of a previous dictator, then you follow the list accordingly.

2. Making sure that all institutions that are supposed to monitor you and your executive branch are run by extremely incompetent individuals: Naturally, these incompetent individuals will appoint fellow incompetent individuals in their respective organization structures. As a dictator, you may even need to strengthen your grip on these institution leaders by making them aware of their incompetence, and that you are doing them a favor to have them in those positions. Remind them if you have to from time to time of your good goodness to give them those positions. This will make them extremely loyal to you, in the interest of keeping those positions and continuing to enjoy the special previleges that come with having those jobs. By any chance a very competent person joins the organization, have them fired because doing their job so well may coz problems for your dictatorship. Now are set to move on to the next thing.

3. Make sure that the education system is very low: Adopting the most basic curriculum that will not empower the people but empower the power of your regime over them. Have the majority of them thinking that your actual duties of running the country is a generous favor to them.

4. Strategize on freedom of speech: Allow and promote freedom of speech only if the ignorance levels in the nation do not make it a threat, otherwise, suppress freedom of speech through aggressive policing of certain discussions on media institution platforms like Tv or radio and on social media.

6. Discourage analytical and investigative media reporting practices: This can make the citizens aware of your dictatorial schemes in your operations. It’s best to employ a strategy that turns the media into a great bore or a circus.

Once you have all these in place, you can be sure to do whatever you want, whenever you want, however you want, your grip on power is only guaranteed if no one from the general population rises up to challenge you and either establish a dictatorship of their own or take a different style of ruling.

In the meantime, I will be watching the Senegalese president to see what type of leader he turns out to be. If he adopts one or all of the mentioned practices, then I am sure he will be welcomed and added to the dictatorship WhatsApp group.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy of Melo Media Zambia.