Chemistry
Co-optation and Repression in Authoritarian Regimes
Quick fact
Even the most repressive regimes also use co-optation—for example, the Soviet Union offered party membership, jobs, and privileges to secure elite loyalty, not just fear.
Why this is interesting
Why do some dictators stay in power for decades, while others are toppled in weeks? The answer often lies not in brute force alone, but in a clever mix of 'carrots and sticks'—rewards for supporters and punishments for challengers.