![](db/pages/2024/03/21/002/zimg_003_3.jpg)
Intimidation and violence are also commonly used by dictators to control the masses. By instilling fear in the population and using force to suppress dissent, dictators are able to maintain control and quash any opposition to their rule. This can take the form of violent crackdowns on protests, the targeting of political dissidents and activists, and the use of state-sponsored violence against those perceived as a threat to the regime.