tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-829201642099101607.post3952088322119630854..comments2011-10-09T19:25:53.133-07:00Comments on The Colorless Revolution: Go GentlyThe Bionic Arabisthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03969840997189550449noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-829201642099101607.post-18069594890685841492011-02-15T23:51:40.236-08:002011-02-15T23:51:40.236-08:00I agree with snowflame. It's one thing if a di...I agree with snowflame. It's one thing if a dictator is captured by an angry mob or arrested in a coup, who cares about incentivizing his cooperation? Someone like Pinochet who could have pushed to remain in power but didn't, thinking he would be safe, is a different story entirely. Lots of scared dictators will remember what happened to Pinochet and hold out until the bitter end.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01335917247112657775noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-829201642099101607.post-57943096261526660002011-02-13T13:42:18.051-08:002011-02-13T13:42:18.051-08:00I pretty much agree entirely, which is why I wasn&...I pretty much agree entirely, which is why I wasn't entirely happy when they arrested Pinochet in London. Did he deserve it? Yes. Did he stop down mostly voluntarily? Yes as well. If dictators feel that if they pass a general amnesty for everyone and can step down safely, then they are more likely to step down rather than just wait for the revolution. I'll take the peaceful transition, thanks.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-829201642099101607.post-19416772465237807872011-02-13T09:05:16.179-08:002011-02-13T09:05:16.179-08:00I guess my response is to say that the scenario I ...I guess my response is to say that the scenario I have in mind is one in which you have an embattled dictator (i.e. some kind of uprising has begun), and he's weighing his options for a next move. If right now Mubarak is stripped of assets, hauled before court, etc etc, in other words if people make an example of him, another dictator might think, "I don't want to end up like Mubarak" and double down on the repression.The Bionic Arabisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03969840997189550449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-829201642099101607.post-54386508843274618962011-02-13T09:00:05.485-08:002011-02-13T09:00:05.485-08:00I'd think that would cut both ways. If a dicta...I'd think that would cut both ways. If a dictator expected nothing more than quiet exile upon being deposed, would he feel less restrained while in power? And in any event, how many dictators really spend their days in office wondering what life will be like after they have been pushed out?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com