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Are you an aspiring dictator trying to destroy democracy from within? Do you want to rule unchallenged for life? Are pesky things like respect for human rights and rule of law getting in your way?
Today’s your lucky day. Here’s a step-by-step guide to fulfil your dictatorship dreams…
You probably already know you need to restrict independent media. No sense having the public see what critics are saying about you. Especially when it’s true.
The same goes for so-called civil society, those independent organizations that have other ideas – ideas that are not yours, of all things! Restrict civil society, too.
It’s essential you also undermine the independence of the courts. It’s no good making laws that do your bidding if some judge undermines your efforts.
Do what you can to swing elections in your favor. As well as controlling the media, tilt the playing field by misusing voters’ personal data.
Declare states of emergency again and again. This lets you govern by decree, so you can bypass parliamentary oversight and consolidate your executive power.
Find scapegoats. You have to make sure people don’t blame you and your ruling party for the nation’s problems. After all, you’re in the most corrupt country and the most impoverished country in the region. You don’t want anyone thinking that’s the fault of those running the place.
Try vilifying migrants and asylum seekers. That always seems to work. You can also target LGBT people. Maybe launch an antisemitic hate campaign while you’re at it.
And if you’re fortunate enough to find yourself running an EU country, you’ve got another handy scapegoat available: Brussels. Don’t let the fact that you’re taking EU money prevent you from repeatedly running public propaganda campaigns attacking the EU and its democratic values.
The point is you need scapegoats todistract the public from thinking about who’s really behind the mess the country is in.
If, after doing all that, things still aren’t under your authoritarian thumb as much as you’d like them to be, try this. Work on a new law to strangle civil society even further by attacking its funding.
Propose giving sweeping powers to a government-appointed body to go after those groups that still won’t bow to your will. Say it’s a matter of national security. Nevermind how ridiculous that sounds.
Target their leaders, founders, and board members. Make them all submit asset declarations. Subject them to tax audits and financial inspections. Back all of this up in your proposed new law with the threat of nasty punishments for non-compliance.
In other words, do all the things Viktor Orbán and his government have been doing – and now plan to do – in Hungary.
