1. The Worst of the Worst “Bad dude dictators and general coconut heads”

2. Modern Day Dictators • 40 dictators around the world • 1.9 billion people under oppressive rule

3. Despotism • Absolute ruler • Tyrant • Unrestrained use of power • Unmerciful rule • Repression • Put down, subdue, crush • No voice, no freedom of speech • Little economic opportunity • Oppression • Weigh down the mind • Attitudes, beliefs, values • fear

4. “End of History” (Dictatorships) with the Cold War (1991) • Democracy suppose to sweep the world • Repression suppose to “bite the dust” • And another one bites the dust, hey hey! • …only 60% of worlds countries democratic • Better than the 28% in 1950 • Some are not real democracies • Despots in disguise

5. Insidious aspect • Most dictators started as “freedom fighters” to overthrow the previous dictator • Revolutionaries turned tyrants • “crocodile liberators” • Betray ideals that gave them power • Swiss bank socialists • People pay for economic loss, banks stash the gains • “Briefcase bandits” • Pillage and steal • Cultural betrayal, economic devastation