what would you do if you were a totalitarian dictator?

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Consolidate my position in power, obviously. I would start my eliminating my known enemies, both within the Party and outside it. I would then set up a state-of-the-art secret police so that I could eliminate future enemies before they even become enemies. I would also have regular purges of the Party, of government and whatever is left of civil society; you simply have to keep people on their toes. This would include setting up and controlling dissident organisations, and crushing the rest. Naturally, I would also have multiple escape plans.

I would also cultivate a loyal band of cronies, although I would try to make sure that at least some are of above average intelligence. They would be well rewarded, would be up to their neck in any dubious things I do, but would also understand that they are not immune. I would also try to make sure that a majority of the population benefit, in some way, from my regime, and would also try to amuse them from time to time with 'crazy' decrees. It would also be important to pick international allies and to work out which big players it is safe to insult.

In other words, I would act exactly as I have done as International Elections moderator.