The strange family situation of the 83-year-old ruler

One of the primary ways in which dictatorships are formed is through the manipulation of institutions and the erosion of democratic norms and practices. Authoritarian leaders often exploit weaknesses in the political system, such as corruption, lack of accountability, and institutional decay, to consolidate their power and marginalize dissent. By undermining the rule of law and the separation of powers, dictatorships are able to centralize authority and suppress opposition, leading to a gradual erosion of democratic values and principles.