The New Dictatorships

Bryan Caplan often gets a little Wild in his postulates, but he occasionally asks the right Questions in a correct format, like this Post where he tries to define the popularity of dictatorships. He lists three structural rationales for longevity for Dictators. His first definition should be rewritten, and defined as the fear of the Alternatives to the in-place Dictator; especially if those Alternatives espouse radical change at the Social level. I glanced at Bryan’s new Paper, and wished I had the time to read it (found in his Post). I believe seriously (like von Mises) that Dictators are constrained by the events which brought them to power, and have little ability to alter from that initial direction; remember, the creation of ruthless Police power almost guarantees a violent replacement mechanism. Propaganda and Brain-Washing has relatively little power until an entire Generation has been raised from childhood under the tautology; while violent Police power operates effectively from the Start. Propaganda also only works well when it does not have to face alternative opinion, possessing only about 10% of the enjoined commitment if there is alternative discussion.

William Polley brings Us an Argument which seems to have no relevance to the previous Post by Bryan, but it still concerns the Expectation of the Polity for provision from what is understood as an economic dictatorship; the Big Box stores have the Routing mechanism to provide quick Supply of disaster materials. It does not matter the manner of payment for those Services, the Big Box outlets would be crucified, if they were not seen as part of the Recovery effort. It is a question of the Dictators stepping up to the Plate, and has nothing to do with the Cost of the performance. The Dictators (Big Box outlets) must show some Concern for the Polity, else they would be ousted; the problem being this Aid is too often pro forma without content, because of the Cost involved.

Mark Thoma and Paul Krugman point out that the Bush administration's plan for the Mortgage Crisis is basically a pro forma instrument without content, designed solely for the purpose of deflecting popular demand for adequate relief. The Plan basically protects the Money interests which provide the basic support for the Administration, while giving lip service of helping the Mortgage debtors. It only provides Cover for the financial administrators who created the crisis by bad lending practice, and effectively grants little Relief to debtors. This gives the image of Concern and Involvement to the Administration, while allowing Escape for Those culpable. Such are the mechanisms of Power. lgl