I guess it depends on the ones in power. There is a theoretical possibility that the ones in power acts altruistically for the good of the people.
History however has proven totalitarian countries as brutal regimes, before it inevitablably collapses.
One of the reasons it can’t be for the good of the people is that it needs to pay supporters a lot more.
If you are a dictator, you have to constantly bribe your supporters (military, oligarchs etc). If you don’t, they will replace you with another dictator that will. So the system will inherently be corrupt and not to the benefit of the people.
Any actions that benefit the people comes from a fear of riots and revolution. In other words it’s a delicate balancing act.
Things might be different now and in the future due to more advanced surveillance, personalized propaganda, drones and robotics. Different in that it can be more oppressive than previously.
I guess it depends on the ones in power. There is a theoretical possibility that the ones in power acts altruistically for the good of the people.
History however has proven totalitarian countries as brutal regimes, before it inevitablably collapses.
One of the reasons it can’t be for the good of the people is that it needs to pay supporters a lot more.
If you are a dictator, you have to constantly bribe your supporters (military, oligarchs etc). If you don’t, they will replace you with another dictator that will. So the system will inherently be corrupt and not to the benefit of the people.
Any actions that benefit the people comes from a fear of riots and revolution. In other words it’s a delicate balancing act.
Things might be different now and in the future due to more advanced surveillance, personalized propaganda, drones and robotics. Different in that it can be more oppressive than previously.