1. 21st Century Topics Dictators and Totalitarianism

2. Context of Modern Totalitarian Regimes

3. Vocabulary Defined Totalitarianism: Of, relating to, being, or imposing a form of government in which the political authority exercises absolute and centralized control over all aspects of life, the individual is subordinated to the state, and opposing political and cultural expression is suppressed.

4. No longer a dictator…. Dictator is so last century, the new term is DESPOT: A ruler with absolute power. A person who wields power oppressively; a tyrant.

5. The darker the shade, the less democracy the people experience

6. Modern Totalitarianism New despots have changed their outward image, but their inward ambitions are still the same. Dimitry Medvedev looks like a Russian JFK but is really a Stalin. 400 million people around the world currently live under repressive regimes.

7. The New Despot…. In previous decades, despots relied on the limitlessness of their terror, now people know! A despot can kill dozens, but no longer tens of thousands. Facebook!!! Played a role in organizing protests in Egypt and around the Middle East as well as the Sudan!

8. A Bit of Background and a Brief Summary of the Current Situation

9. Where We Begin…..

10. Hosni Mubarack Egypt Assumed the Presidency in 1981. 2nd longest ruler of Egypt. Ousted in the 2011 Egyptian Revolution. Power transferred to the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces Known for personal and political corruption. Control of the media, newspapers and universities. Powers of the state police were extended, censorship was legalized. State of emergency declared (in 1967!), which gave the government the right to detain anyone, at any time for anything. Up to 30,000 political prisoners were held at one point.

11. Now in the News…..

12. Muammar Gaddafi (Kadafi?) Libya Came to power on September 1, 1969 after a military coup. Has been in power for 42 years, making him one of the longest-serving leaders in history. Known for oppression, state sponsored terrorism and assassinations of opposition. Bombing of PanAm flight 103 over Lockerbie Scotland Libya is oil rich and Gaddafi has amassed a multi-billion dollar fortune Including 144 tons of gold Political ideology is Islamic Socialism and is expressed in “The Green Book”. 2011 Libyan Civil War in which Gaddafi vows to die a martyr. Is served by all-virgin women bodyguards

13. Also in the News….

14. Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali Tunisia Assumed the presidency in 1987 after a bloodless coup. Known for iron-fisted ruling and refused legal monitoring during presidential elections. Ben Ali usually would win 100% of the vote! Tunisia has experienced recent prosperity, but the poor, young and rural have not shared in this. Fled to Saudi Arabia during the recent Tunisian Revolution (Jan. 2011) and a warrant has been issued for his arrest. Danger of a power vacuum to be filled by???

15. Tops of the Despot list…

16. Kim Jong-Il North Korea Came to power in 1997 after Kim Il-Sung died, but had been involved in government for many years. Member of the North Korean Communist Party (DPRK). Had the constitution re-written so that his title is now simply “supreme leader” North Korea is entirely autocratic and centralized. 2007-immense famine, military-first policy adopted (NK has the 4th largest standing army). About 1 million deaths. Oldest son is the heir apparent to Jong Il’s rule. Nickname is “Central Brain”

17. The poverty of the Korean People Kim Jong-Il has amassed a fortune of $4 billion. His luxury appetite eats up 20% of the nation’s budget.

18. The wealth of the Korean military

19. The List Continues….

20. Alexander Lukashenko Belarus 56 years old, 16 years in power Widespread human rights abuses $9 billion personal fortune Currently “running” for re-election Fun Facts-close friends with Pope Benedict XVI and is known to enjoy rollerskating.

22. Robert Mugabe Zimbabwe 87 years old-23 years in power Massacre of thousands of civilians in the 1980’s Owns almost half the land in Zimbabwe Fun Facts--nickname is “Bob” and he owns his own supermarket. His wife is called “Gucci” Grace, aka, “the First Shopper”.

24. Bashar Al-Assad Syria 40 years old, 10 years in power Cozy connection to Hizbullah Brutal suppression of recent protests- continued control of Syria is uncertain because of these uprisings

26. Than Shwe Burma 19 years in power Close connections to opium lords 1 million people dislocated Burma boasts the most child soldiers of any nation Will forcibly recruit children as young as 11 and combat ready by aged 12. www.hrw.org (human rights watch) Fun fact: believes in magic and that he might also be Buddha!

28. Omar Al-Bashir Sudan 67 years old, 21 years in power Hundreds of thousands killed in Darfur; a warrant has currently been issued for his arrest by the International Court. $9 billion hidden fortune Claims he will not seek re-election-out of office in 2015 Known polygamist-and yet has banned wedding celebrations

30. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow Turkmenistan 53 years old, 4 years in power Imprisonment of religious leaders, including a Pentecostal pastor in 2010 Has a wife in London and mistress in Russia Excellent prospects of staying in power for years to come

32. Islam Karimov Uzbekistan 73 years old-21 years in power Nickname is “Big Papa” Soldiers killed hundreds in 2005’s Andijan massacre Friends with Sting Accused of boiling people to death

34. Teodoro Obiang Equatorial Guinea 68 years old-31 years in power He is worth $700 million and owns a $36 million jet. 70% of the population lives on less than $2 a day. Fun facts: has multiple wives and 40 children, makes people wear pictures of his face, widely thought to be a cannibal.

35. The Future…. It is unlikely that dictators will cease to exist any time soon. Does the UN have a role in preventing these governments? In protecting the people from human rights abuses? Do we have the right to stop a leader from coming to power in another country?

36. The Future…. Potential world-wide “hot-spots” of oppression and revolt: Riots in Yemen and Syria Stand-off in the Ivory Coast-President Laurent Gbagbo refuses to concede election Hugo Chavez in Venezuela Middle East in general-emerging democracy in Arab nations Africa in general--leadership, potential leaders and power vacuums What about China? Russia?

37. What can/should be done? That is the question…. To what extent should the United States be involved in these conflicts? Our history tells us that the CIA was involved during the Cold War in many countries. How do we choose which countries to involve ourselves with? The threat of communism no longer really exists--the threat of terrorism? Involvement in Libya vs. no action in Egypt?

38. Why is this important? Totalitarian and dictatorial rule have not ceased to exist in the 21st century. Suppressed people around the world are becoming more and more willing to revolt against dictators and their regimes, especially with the example of success in Egypt. How will these conflicts affect the United States and the rest of the world? What happens to a country when a dictator is removed from power? Who fills that vacuum?

39. A current current event….

40. You may remember…..