How To Become A Tyrant

This poem is adapted from and inspired by the Netflix documentary, 'How to become a tyrant'. This does not aim to glorify dictatorship or acts of violence, and is a satirical piece referencing some of the biggest names in the history of tyranny.

The references/terminologies used, along with their explanations, are given below:

Like Adolf (did to rule): This anecdote captures a snippet from the 1930s when Adolf Hitler used propaganda and mass manipulation to fuel the Nazi party's rise after soaring inflation which weakened the population, and the Reichstag Fire which was used against the then government. As a result, free press and the opposition were crushed, eventually helping Hitler in becoming the German Dictator.

The führer's brand and squad: 

• führer - Adolf Hitler.
• brand - The Nazi Party's emblem, the swastika, became one of history's most potent icons ever used. The power of branding is immense for a dictator.
• Squad - Hitler's trusted staff and followers who formed his inner circle of governance and amplified his message. A few noteworthy names are Ernst Rohm, Rudolf Hess and Joseph Goebbels. 

Caesar's plight: Reference to the killing of Julius Caesar, the former dictator of Rome, by his former allies.

Saddam (never demurred from) purging: Reference to the former dictator of Iraq, Saddam Hussein's purge in 1979, in which conspirators and possible threats to his reign, from within his party, were called out to be executed thereafter. It is an example of his fear tactics that kept rivals in check and helped impose authority.

Kleptocracy: Stealing the money and resources of an entire nation for personal gains.

(Turn to terror like) Amin: A reference to one of history's most brutal tyrants, Idi Amin, the former dictator of Uganda. He ruled the country through terror and torture to control the masses and their criticism.

Secret Patrol: Idi Amin's torture squad, who were the agents of Uganda's State Research Bureau, the headquarters of which was filled with torture chambers where people were brutalized and killed.

Jewish Germans: A reference to the innumerable Jews who were killed in concentration camps during Hitler's reign.

Indian Ugandans: A reference to the Indian minority in Uganda During Idi Amin's reign. They were all exiled and forced out of the country through propaganda that the dictator spread to gain the population's trust. 

Scapegoating: Using a person, group, thing or idea for shifting a blame or covering up misdeeds, eventually manipulating people into trusting you. Here, the Ugandan Indians are referenced, where were used as scapegoats to earn the trust of the majority during Amin's regime. 

Like Stalin should you control their creeds: The former Dictator of the Soviet Union, Joseph Stalin, repressed religion, science, ideas and free speech, and replaced them all with Soviet dogmas (Marxism-Leninism), converting himself into the God for the people and his ideals into their principles and faith. He took over religion and science with the state, while communist faces became new idols, helping his truth in becoming divine. 

Puppet regime: A tyrant's state of law where the masses and officials are mere puppets who are controlled by the tyrant's whims and rules.

Gaddafi as the barbaric writer (of Libya's story): The former rebel-turned-dictator of Libya, Muammar Gaddafi, turned Libya into a totalitarian society of his dreams, that functioned according to him. His principles were supreme and his laws were unquestionable. 

Preserved reign of North Korea: A reference to the Kim Dynasty in North Korea, that continues to assert dictatorship, being in the third generation of it's tyranny.

No Titanic or tortilla: References to an Oscar-winning movie and a famous dish, indicating that neither entertainment nor luxury can be availed by North Koreans, who are completely cut off from the rest of the world.

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Welcome to this brief lesson,

That shall teach you all you need to know.

It shall surely help your worries lessen,

As the world will endure your fatal blow.

Fear shall strike the hearts of foes,

While your friends are taped silent.

A manuscript may this be for those

Who would like to become a tyrant.

Wash away your feeble humanity

For it ought to be kept aside.

If you'd like to attain eternal insanity,

Let brutality be your pride.

Your deeds shall become trigger warnings,

May you be ready for that road.

Prepare for half-eyed nights and mornings,

For opposition arms could explode.

Now that you have crossed the disclaimer

And don't care about innocent tears,

Channelize your inner dictator,

And seize power with loyalist peers.

Capitalise on your country's weakness

Using propaganda as your tool.

Manipulate with sympathetic sleekness,

Like Adolf did to rule.

The führer prized his brand and squad,

And the same shall catch your sight.

Slay the press and make doubters nod

To acknowledge your newfound might.

You've now seized the reins of power,

But your journey has just begun.

There are plenty waiting in line to devour

And shorten your tyrannical run.

Now that you're in the global spotlight,

Conspirers shall abound.

If you don't want to suffer Caesar's plight,

Crush your rivals like a hound.

Saddam never demurred from purging;

With bullets were his suspects filled,

You could also rule with resistance lurking

The law being 'obey or be killed.'

Executions are a must to rule

For fear strikes the hearts of men.

A dictator wouldn't just be a fool

To let doubts enter his bloody den.

Narcissism is a trait to acquire,

For beyond criticism lies your autocracy.

Buy loyalty to your heart's desire

By plundering money through kleptocracy.

Successful has your regime been

With no threat to throw you off power.

You may turn to terror like Amin

If the ruled population turns sour.

The masses will remain under control 

Shall the ruler be feared,

So you may appoint your secret patrol

To torture if they interfered.

Disinformation and war will be the weapons

To conceal the brute you have become.

From Jewish Germans to Indian Ugandans,

Scapegoating shall pull you out of scum.

It is thin ice that you walk on now,

Apparent become your gruesome deeds.

If you still want the masses to bow,

Like Stalin should you control their creeds.

The narrative war is your new tool,

To alter the truth in your direction.

You may engage in divide and rule

If your strategy undergoes inspection.

Replacing all religions and science

You may present your squad as Gods,

Resulting in a divine compliance,

With cynics labelled as frauds. 

You must now be wondering why

Your tyranny is not solidified.

You live to create or rather die,

A society you don't want to hide.

The puppet regime is one to behold

For its tales are now a rage inciter.

Libya saw its story unfold,

With Gaddafi as the barbaric writer.

Hide under the deceit of liberation

While your violence cloaks itself.

Enslaving is your main intention,

With this manuscript in your shelf.

Now the law has your doctrines,

And textbooks have your name.

So how do you preserve all your sins,

For you are addicted to this game?

Let us take a page from North Korea,

Preserved has been their reign.

No Titanic or tortilla,

The countrymen obey in vain.

An innocent may be murdered with brutality,

But sacrifice is necessary for a pawn.

There's your secret to immortality,

For tyranny must live on.

You now possess the knowledge,

That barbarians would adore.

The most hated have paid homage,

To the fruits this playbook bore.

You might want to be an addition

To the list of monstrous rulers.

It's recommended to read the latest edition

On the 'contacts of mental schoolers.'