267
Many dictators were democratically elected
(en.wikipedia.org)
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
view the rest of the comments
this post was submitted on 19 Nov 2024
267 points (93.8% liked)
Showerthoughts
29522 readers
1433 users here now
A "Showerthought" is a simple term used to describe the thoughts that pop into your head while you're doing everyday things like taking a shower, driving, or just daydreaming. A showerthought should offer a unique perspective on an ordinary part of life.
Rules
- All posts must be showerthoughts
- The entire showerthought must be in the title
- Avoid politics
- 3.1) NEW RULE as of 5 Nov 2024, trying it out
- 3.2) Political posts often end up being circle jerks (not offering unique perspective) or enflaming (too much work for mods).
- 3.3) Try c/politicaldiscussion, volunteer as a mod here, or start your own community.
- Posts must be original/unique
- Adhere to Lemmy's Code of Conduct
founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS
Dictatorships were created during the Roman era as a form of emergency government during times of crisis or war. Government basically just decided to hand over everything to one person, a Dictator, who was agreed upon to handle everything unrestrained in order to get things done as quickly as possible. Once the emergency was over, the Dictator agreed to hand back control to government. Power was exchanged like this several times during the Roman era.
Dictators were originally meant as a form of government that was needed and created by the people .... it wasn't until later that the process was hijacked and used as a form of control and totalitarianism.
'Dictator' just meant something like 'speaker', didn't it? Like, 'the one who issues commands'
I'm no historian ... I just remember reading about this history a long time ago. The most famous story is about Cincinnatus.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucius_Quinctius_Cincinnatus
Whether or not it was true is anyone's guess as it was written Roman history and it is debated as to whether or not it happened but there are enough examples through Roman history of government being handed over like this to a 'Dictator' and then handed back. It was considered just a way of getting things done as quickly as possible during emergencies and then when things normalized again, senates and groups of elected officials could take their time debating stuff again.
Isn't it literally the one who dictates? (Maybe you were skipping that step)