How to Be a Better Dictator: Divide and Conquer

[osprey_archer]

To the illustrious President Snow

Comments

[sovay]

There are few chains as strong as hope.

Nice.

[osprey_archer]

It's cheaper than creating a heavily armed secret police, too! What dictator can argue with that kind of cost-effectiveness?

[sovay]

It's cheaper than creating a heavily armed secret police, too!

It's always cheaper when you can get people to police each other. Not to mention themselves.

What dictator can argue with that kind of cost-effectiveness?

I have to say, from your analysis, President Snow does not sound like he knows how to budget. If he's paying for schools, is he at least getting decent indoctrination out of them?

[osprey_archer]

Not as far as I can see. President Snow ought to read 1984 and learn some important lessons about the value of rewriting history. His schools should put way less emphasis on the failed rebellion 75 years ago - why mention it at all, honestly? that just reminds people that rebellion is possible - and construct an alternative history of Panem that will make children yearn to serve their glorious nation.

[sovay]

His schools should put way less emphasis on the failed rebellion 75 years ago - why mention it at all, honestly? that just reminds people that rebellion is possible - and construct an alternative history of Panem that will make children yearn to serve their glorious nation.

What is even the point of having schools if you don't use them to mold the impressionable minds of today's valuable youth?

[osprey_archer]

EXACTLY. Even schools in non-dictatorships can usually manage this! Get with the program, Snow!