I think it is possible but not very likely. And I think scale and economic prosperity may have something to do with it. I’m thinking of Singapore, which isn’t the most democratic of states but also is tiny. Monaco falls into the same category. What those two very roughly have in common is economic strength and that seems to sort of compensate for lack of democratic liberties. I would drop the theory that a state the size of other countries’ cities can establish an authoritarian leadership that doesn’t rely mostly on fear mongering (but probably will here or there).

No. As the populace wouldn’t support it otherwise.

It’s not a good system known for its merits or efficiency or anything else. It’s weaponizing hate and fear and ignorance by bad actors in the pursuit of power. Base avarice. Self serving. Power seeking. Nothing more complicated than that.

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I’m sure they could pare it down to just ignorance if they were willing to put in the work.

But if they were willing to put in the work, they probably wouldn’t be authoritarians in the first place.

Is there any example that shows it would work in practice?

Why would they not just be a democracy if people would choose to keep them in power regardless?