a dictator's playbook
I used a lower case on the title on purpose. I am trying to be soft. Our orange colored heavenly father at the white colored house want us to comply. So we will :)
This weekend I was listening and watching to the interview of Maria Ressa, who published the playbook of the traits of a modern autocrat in Philippines. I am talking about Rodrigo Duterte. The criminal and the convict (just like the current US president) was arrested on March 11, 2025, by the international criminal court for the crime against humanity, and is currently in prison at the Hague.
Image generated by Leonardo
Here is the interview I am talking about...
The purpose of this post is not to talk about Duterte or Philippines, but rather to learn about how a soft or hard autocracy works, either in Philippines, or Hungary, or Russia, and learn from it. That is what Ms. Ressa was trying to teach us, and there is a lot to learn from it.
I found it a exceptionally educational how Ms. Ressa described the institutional collapse under a dictator. The constitution of Philippines was basically a replica of US constitution and there are exactly three branches of the government: Executive, Legislative and Judicial, just like US. In 2016, it took Duterte exactly 6 months to collapse the three branches of the government. In 2025, Stewart jokes, why it is taking the orange guy 8 months?! :) Well, Ms. Ressa argues, he probably have done it in his first 100 days already! I agree with her, the shock to me have always been the Republican legislative wing. They are so spineless, and so hungry for power, that none of them even say a single thing that goes against the line that comes out of the orange guy's mouth! So compliancy is the nature of the Republican politics right now. So with all Republican inside his jacket pocket and with all democrats who left the country, the legislative branch is a done deal.
Generated using Napkin
Judicial branch is easy. Here the method is targeting one person at a time and just wear him/her out. With most of the Supreme Court in his pocket, the Orange guy is currently the king of the land. All corrupt actions are now normalized, and if he says that he can shoot someone at the 5th avenue and get away with it, you better believe him.
"How can you have rule of law if you don't have facts?"
Stewart asks, what is the last word again? :)
what prize? our guy will get it soon enough!
Social Media
The collapse is inherently tied to technology. The Philippines served as a crucial testing ground for mass manipulation tactics using platforms like Facebook and X. These tactics rapidly advance authoritarian goals by weaponizing the algorithm for political consolidation and power. Stewart again correctly pointed out that while the algorithm may have initially been weaponized for profit, the application of emotional triggers made it effective for political consolidation and power globally.
"what free speech means is free speech is speech that supports the president"
Ressa argued, that facebook and X have tested the strategy clinically for 6 years in Philippines, because at the time that population is THE highest consumer of social media and internet. It is now proven that lies spread six times faster through social media compared to conventional media. The logic board is simple:
- fear
- anger
- hate
These three together is a weapon so powerful that if used correctly there is nothing that can stop it. Our tech CEOs have perfected it for profit, and they have used it for years in Philippines. So now they have data for six years on how this works. And they are the largest donors for the 'MAGA cause'.
Apocalypse or Armageddon
So the only question now remains is are we heading into an Apocalypse or Armageddon. Ms. Ressa argues for Armageddon, because at least there is fight in Armageddon, in Apocalypse it is all over.
Well, God help us!
Many years ago I remember a quote from a movie Tears of the Sun by Bruce Willis
"God already left Africa"
https://clip.cafe/tears-of-the-sun-2003/god-already-left-africa/
To that I probably should say, God already left USA!
It breaks my heart to read the truth in your words, but God has not left America. We are here. You dare to write these words, and I will write also.
Thank you for having the guts to write this. I don't understand why the people in this country do not see what you clearly point out. I do blame education. I think history and civics are the most important lessons (OK, so I did teach history and civics). Without an understanding of the past, and an understanding the basic protections supposedly built into government, how can people act to protect themselves?
They are blind to the danger. Some sense it, and many do not.
It's late at night. I'm supposed to be in bed, so I'm rambling.
But, thank you.
But we must laugh at this lunacy!
If it was a skit on Laugh In (how I date myself), maybe laugh. Now it is tragic, tragic because the emperor has no clothes...no longer a fairy tale but reality.
Yeah, it is a reality now.
20 years ago, I would believe that this is overly dramatic, like Borat perhaps, and no heads of state can do this.
Now it is just a reality.
I have started reading the book. It is shocking how similar the deconstruction of the state is between the two countries. As if there is a template and people took it and re-fabricated.
Yes, I blame the education, rather lack there of too. However the surprising bit for me is how the educated people have turned a blind eye to the truth and reality.
I don't know if they have. Almost everyone on the left, including most academics, have been calling out exactly what has been going on for awhile. Many traditional conservatives are also starting to speak out against him. To me what is worrying is corporation. They know exactly what is going on, but they choose to bend the knee and give bribes in the hope that they can deflect his attention. As John Oliver said recently in his rant against Disney for the Kimmel suspension, "You feed the bully and he doesn't go away, he just comes back hungrier."
They have been waiting for someone like this, for a regime like this, for more than 100 years, ever since the Progressive Era. They want to turn the clock back to the 19th century when there were no controls on corporate growth. When there were no labor regulations, no environmental restrictions.
The Golden Age for them was the age of the Robber Barons.
The corporations are propping up this government.
It is a template, tried and true. The people who plotted the return to power in 2024 were very careful. They are quite deliberate in what they want, and they know how to use the levers of power, the mechanism of government to smoothly achieve their goals.
It's not over, though. I refuse to believe that.
She also did a much longer interview with him on his podcast, "The Weekly Show", which is well worth it. Next to Sam Harris's podcast, it's the only one I listen to every single episode. Jon is a bit more serious (just a tiny bit) on the podcast, which combined with the longer interviews is nice.
Here's that episode, but of course you can search and subscribe in your podcast app.
Thank you so much! I love a podcast. I didn't know about this.
Subscribed!
Electing a criminal into the highest office was a fatal mistake for American electorate. Now you can say goodbye to the rule of law, democracy and freedom of speech. I will not be surprised if Trump is "elected" to the third term.
You say that as if there were a choice. Less than 50% vote in the elections, and the people prevented from voting are predominately on the blue side. I'm not saying there was cheating going on in the previous election, but it was not free of manipulation. And he almost still lost — which is hopeful. But of course now that he's in, he won't come out easily. The fact that he refuses to clarify if he will leave when his term is over and has suggested running for a third term multiple times should alarm everyone.
Yes. People voted an autocratic criminal, the very thing people have feared. How naive the American people are, is shocking!
The world order as we know it is getting deconstructed in front of our eyes and we are at the rooftop playing violin while seeing America getting burned!
I believe President Trump is going to “suspend” all interest payments (rental fees) for the use of Fiat USD’s…
A president to the people, off the people and for the people...
The fact that he was voted in makes it all more ironic and sad.
Politics is something I utterly despise cause it seems to be going shit everywhere.
At first I once posted about the straw flag movement in one state, now it's in 6 others...
I wonder what's gone wrong with the world.
72% of the world "leaders" currently leans totalitarian!
Some like Trump are convicted felons
If I'm not mistaken, Trump expressed admiration for Duterte in more than one occasion. There is that fun factoid to add here.
I've been telling my older brother to get out, to leave. I happen to not only agree with the diagnosis, but then tack on the possibility that justice, whatever that is, won't make itself present anytime soon.
Trump will never go to jail, I can take this to the bank, I'm sure.
That said the harm he's caused won't be fixed by a new president just like that either. It's going to take generations to fix the divide, if it can be fixed to begin with.
I agree that he will NEVER go to American jail. This last act will be to pardon himself and every single friend and family member. By then all his family will be multi billionaires anyways.
We are somewhat "numb" to corruption on our side of the world. It seems natural for our politicians to use their positions of power to enrich themselves. Most also don't accept getting defeated on elections and claim to be cheated. This has been happening in our country for years. I'm surprised that yours (the seat of democracy) is following our country's practices.
Yes, people tend to get numb after years of violence and misfortune! Sadly that same event has arrived at American doorstep!
I was dumbfounded with what happened in Jan 6, 2021. That kind of thing happens in our country but not in America.
Are you kidding me?
They are all national heros now!
Our criminal says, "that was a day of live!"
It is sad watch in real time the decadency of the democracy and how many people celebrate that believing that is good for them. Man, I live im Cuba, a country ruled by a communist Dictatorship, so I really appreciated freedom and democracy (because I know what it feels do not have it none of that) there is no good dictatoship, I always see USA as the truly land of opportunities, now, the US dream is dying.
!BBH
Look elsewhere:)
Now we have a bigger dictator here!
We must praise him!
Yes I can also see some similarities, but I still have hope that the good old checks and balance system will continue to hold. Event though I have serious doubts after watching the last year.
Btw... I wasn't aware Duterte was arrested and brought to Den Hag. Not sure how that piece of information could slip my attention. I guess there was too much other stuff going on, and the media around me didn't bring anything about that case. Now after looking into it I am wondering how long he will stay there, as it looks they are coming up with some "escape" plan
Hope is a wonderful thing.
I have hope too. However every day it is dwindling
Dang, that's a pretty bleak picture of the world, but given what we have seen, it's also pretty accurate. Have you ever seen the old movie The American President? There is a speech in there right at the end where the star says this:
And I know it's fictional, and the scenario is different, but it hits hard these days.
Oh yes!
I have seen the movie many times!
You know back in the days when I was in India, this was our idea of America and American presidents!
How fairytale it seems now!
Yes! That movie and Dave. Those were something we could all wish for!
I remember I protested against Bush!
How much am I wish to get him back! My goodness! I long to get back a proper republican!
Haha, I hear you there! Remember the whole Dixie Chicks scandal? So tame now compared to everything else that is going on.
Every scandal I cared deeply for before Trump, now feel just like a middle school drama!
For sure!
That fits perfectly into what's happening here in Ecuador, unfortunately.
We're in a state of emergency due to the high crime level since January 2024, Noboa (the president) ruling by decrees. Some of his works do seem like
Secret Police law that permits violations of many privacy acts
change of the distribution of parliament in favor of the ruling party (and their counterpart), not necessarily the worst idea (parties under 5% got kicked out, it's the same in Germany and works good in my opinion), but gave the president more power.
concentration of power by reducing the state, combining ministries that should be controlling each other in one, like environment and mining
tightening the strict register and approval process for NGOs
discrediting and marching against the constitutional corte
planning his own constitution (paste Futurama quote here [sorry, couldn't resist])
Those are just the most pressing ones. Not to forget how he avoided preventing the energy crisis last year, which was predicted for a year, and had his family and associates make a lot of money thanks to that supposed "negligence".
Now that I wrote it down, I'm thinking about turning it into a post. I rarely get political, but interpreting the happenings based on the information you gave makes it interesting. If I do, would it be okay to use the graphic you made with "Napkin"?
Yes, okay to use the Napkin graphic or any graphic for that matter.
Why not political? It is an important part of our life.
Also no other platform better than hive to discuss political fuckery!
LOL
In this particular case: Yes, but I'm starting to share my private blog here on my personal web2 accounts, and as I wrote, the surveillance is getting a bit heavier. And as a foreigner, I'm not in a strong position at all. And though I know that is self-censorship, and there are bigger fish to fry - for now -, I still have to think about all the people that depend on me. So for me, it's not as easy.
In general: As I wrote in another comment, I don't believe that politics can really do much for us now. I'm writing way more about building community because that is for the the way out. Yes, there are politics within a community as well, which I happily discuss and present, but I think I've given up on the big-scale. I might be wrong on that. Gotta reflect a little.
Beautiful very interesting wow amazing I really enjoy it more wisdom
dictatorship is literally everywhere , the whole system is based on dictatorship.
politics, families, internet etc..
we are not free if we ask for freedom, its something people dont understand.
i think often why people dont just stop and ponder on why they do or think what they do and think.
when the yellow vests in france started, why people always have to fight against a movement, why is it so hard to turn their back and chose peace within and others.
i guess the answer is simple, dictatorship is within.