Modern authoritarianism according to #StephenKotkin can be defined as "Rule of the few IN THE NAME of the many". No longer can one openly represent the few. ( Aristocracy)

Authoritarian regimes the world over tend to have 4 general characteristics.

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1. Big repressive apparatus- of speech, information, movement etc. But it is inefficient because if it's too efficient, you or your cronies can end up on the receiving end of this apparatus. Just make it strong enough to get things done. Selective application of violence. 2/6

2. Cashflow - Liquidity is critical. You could try to grow the economy but that's a lot of effort and a lot of money going to others. Easiest is if you have an extractive industry( oil, minerals), counterfeit it, or persuade international orgs to give it to you. 3/6

3. Control over life chances- A big private sector that's not dependent on the state for housing, education, business startup is a problem.
You need them entangled so you control who wins and loses. Check to see the percentage of public sector workers vs private sector. 4/6

4. Ideology- These are narratives that allow the state to talk about enemies, ethnicities that are harming the country, fearmongering, a warning against elites- stories of the great past, of humiliation and grievance and appeals to patriotism. 5/6

A nice mix of these 4 and you have a modern authoritarian state equipped to hold on to power for decades.

Fun times

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