Can someone good at history tell me how often authoritarian regimes willingly and peacefully give up power?

[benlockwood@ecoevo.social]

Can someone good at history tell me how often authoritarian regimes willingly and peacefully give up power? Just curious.

[aarbrk@mstdn.mx]

@benlockwood The only example I am aware of is Pinochet, and he really dragged the process out.

[roknrol@beige.party]

@benlockwood I can't find the info now but I know I've looked it up before.

Historically, based on what I can find, it's fewer than five. Basically "almost never".

If I wasn't so tired I'd do the digging again, but..that's not in the cards this morning.

It *has* happened, but it's certainly not the sort of thing you want to rely on, and these authoritarians are not the type.

[count_01@mastodon.social]

@benlockwood Yes. Almost anyone with a modicum of history on their CV can tell you.

[sneako@techhub.social]

@benlockwood Orban just left peacefully, does that count?

[oberstenzian@mastodon.social]

@benlockwood The authoritarians will run away if enough of us knit pom pom beanies and write sternly worded letters.