Dictator's Checklist

• Gain complete power.
• Introduce terror so people keep their heads down and don't ask any questions. 
• Create a system of informers so they won't know who can be trusted. 
• Hammer them with propaganda which praises blind obedience. 
• Put them in community groups which will consume time and energy amid the scrutiny of neighbors. 
• Hand out a few impressive titles so bullies will have status. 
• Have everyone constantly on the alert for enemies, real or imagined. 
• Tell them how much you care about their aspirations.
• Remove anyone who exhibits the slightest sign of disloyalty.
• Reward people who have notable flaws and who are psychologically dependent upon pleasing the ruler.
• Make it clear that relatives and friends of "criminals" will also be punished.
• Get confessions so even those who know better may harbor a slight doubt of the accused person's innocence.
• Re-write history to remove any troublesome facts.
• Create a ruthless inner circle to deflect silent criticism from the ruler.
• Establish an ethical system based on gaining the approval of the ruler.
• Subvert the courts.
• Twist the law.
• Indoctrinate the children.
• Destroy property rights.
• Cultivate a privileged class of intellectuals.
• Use credulous journalists.
• Make everything secondary to the survival of the regime.
• Say that all of this is done for the people.
• Keep saying that.