Why Do Dictatorships Survive?

Imagine you have a big brother who takes your toys and says no one else will give them to you. If he gives you some candy every day, you might stay happy even without fair rules. Dictatorships work similarly. A ruler keeps power not just by being tough, but by buying loyalty from important people like generals and business owners. They also control the news so everyone sees them as the hero. When things get tough, they punish the loud complainers. Because the rich stay rich and the poor get their small rewards, the system holds together longer than we expect.