The Rules for Rulers

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  • Опубликовано: 23 окт 2016
  • Adapted from 'The Dictator's Handbook': amzn.to/2fgBWps
    Part 2: • Death & Dynasties
    Grey discusses this video on Cortex: • Rules for Rulers Discu...
    Also Grey needs a new office because of this video: • I Need a New Office...
    Special Thanks:
    Bruce Bueno de Mesquita & Alastair Smith
    &
    Mark Govea, Thomas J Miller Jr MD, dedla , Robert Kunz, John Buchan, Ripta Pasay, Saki Comandao, Andres Villacres, Christian Cooper, Michael Little, PervertedThomas , Nevin Spoljaric, سليمان العقل, Tony DiLascio, Richard Jenkins, Chris Chapin, Faust Fairbrook, Jason Lewandowski, Michael Mrozek, Jordan LeDoux, Chris Woodall, rictic , Ian , Tod Kurt, Phil Gardner, Chang Wang, Kozo Ota, Jordan Melville, Martin , Steven Grimm, Joe Pantry, Colin Millions, Muhammad Shifaz, Chris Harshman, Jose Reyes, Guillermo , Ron Bowes, Tómas Árni Jónasson, Mikko , Derek Bonner, Derek Jackson, Orbit_Junkie , Timothy Basanov, David Michaels, Mark Elders, Donal Botkin, Veronica Peshterianu, Paul Tomblin, Travis Wichert, chrysilis , Ryan E Manning, Erik Parasiuk, Rhys Parry, Maarten van der Blij, Kevin Anderson, Ryan Nielsen, Esteban Santana Santana, Dag Viggo Lokøen, Tristan Watts-Willis, John Rogers, Edward Adams, Leon , ken mcfarlane, Brandon Callender, Timothy Moran, Peter Lomax, Emil , Tijmen van Dien, ShiroiYami , Alex Schuldberg, Ryan Constantin, Bear , Jacob Ostling, Solon Carter, Rescla , Hystiklopp , Andrew Proue, Tor Henrik Lehne, David Palomares, Cas Eliëns, Freddi Hørlyck, Ernesto Jimenez, Osric Lord-Williams, Maxime Zielony, Lachlan Holmes , John Lee, Ian N Riopel, AUFFRAY Clement, John Bevan, Robert Grünke (trainfart)
    Music by: www.davidreesmusic.com

Комментарии • 30 тыс.

  • @CGPGrey
    @CGPGrey  10 месяцев назад +889

    Making this video caused me to need a new office… and to terrorize my neighbor: ruclips.net/video/D2AMBafWr08/видео.html

  • @louischo2701
    @louischo2701 7 лет назад +6832

    1. Be straight.
    2. Mark centimetres and millimetres on yourself.
    3. Be short and light enough to be able to be used as a ruler.

  • @thedocblock6421
    @thedocblock6421 5 лет назад +21464

    Instructions unclear, became a key smith

  • @fruity4820
    @fruity4820 2 года назад +24097

    "Democracies are better places to live than dictatorships not because representatives are better people, but because their needs happen to be aligned with a large portion of the population". This might be the most optimistic sentence in this video, in a weird way

    • @knightshousegames
      @knightshousegames 2 года назад

      It just goes to show the democracies of today are slipping further away from democracy.

    • @Loromir17
      @Loromir17 Год назад +1540

      Think of it like of a beekeeper and his bees, or of a farmer and his cattle. Their livelihood depends on their property's productivity, which happens to correlate with the latter's well-being a lot - but that doesn't mean they're friends or equals.

    • @jiangciyang3860
      @jiangciyang3860 Год назад +321

      more aligned than dictatorship, but still not enough

    • @angelcakes5151
      @angelcakes5151 Год назад

      Maybe this is why America is getting worse to live in? Automation is making citizens less necessary to production, so our rulers can start to ignore social issues and inequalities again

    • @knightshousegames
      @knightshousegames Год назад +177

      @@angelcakes5151 So this is how Humans Need Not Apply comes to pass.......in a more dystopian way than we even imagined initially.

  • @acolotlgames
    @acolotlgames Год назад +11711

    Im Austrian and failed art school but this inspired me to pursue politics in Germany

  • @geluk_425
    @geluk_425 3 года назад +8588

    “When approval ratings couldn’t be lower, yet re-election rates couldn’t be higher, youll know you’ve succeeded” yikes

    • @masac2853
      @masac2853 3 года назад +616

      Cough putin cough

    • @JoelLundqvist98
      @JoelLundqvist98 3 года назад +997

      @@masac2853 Cough, Cough, US Politics.

    • @aturchomicz821
      @aturchomicz821 3 года назад +52

      @@JoelLundqvist98 ok?

    • @JoelLundqvist98
      @JoelLundqvist98 3 года назад +745

      @@aturchomicz821 Approval for congress is 20% but reelection rates are around 80-90%. Politicians on both sides (more republicans though) draw congressional districts in ways that will put certain voting blocks into certain districts making it incredibly easy for them to win.

    • @TechnoMinarchistBall
      @TechnoMinarchistBall 3 года назад +462

      @@JoelLundqvist98 This is because a large number of people believe the presidency is the only vote that matters. They're fools.

  • @lcrn6288
    @lcrn6288 4 года назад +5627

    People: Yay we are free
    New Dictator: More like, “Under new management”

  • @mohammadkhazaee9818
    @mohammadkhazaee9818 2 года назад +6704

    Rule 0 : Without power you can affect nothing
    Rule 1 : Keep the key supporters on your side
    Rule 2 : Control the treasure
    Rule 3 :Minimize key supporters

    • @dendrogenhs
      @dendrogenhs Год назад +168

      Rule 1, Corollary: if vying for power, over-promise since you will not need everyone later. Isolate key supporters, especially before consolidating power... Be it so that they cannot cooperate to de-thrown you or through facebook groups so that they do not know what you over-promised e.g. pieces from the same budget...

    • @nothing9260
      @nothing9260 Год назад +121

      Rule -1: Keep the Army happy

    • @SirNobleIZH
      @SirNobleIZH Год назад +241

      Rule 34: do not search for porn of yourself once you gain power

    • @mohammadkhazaee9818
      @mohammadkhazaee9818 Год назад +14

      @@SirNobleIZH 🤣

    • @kevinsabellico7608
      @kevinsabellico7608 Год назад +17

      I thought Rule 0 was keep the army happy

  • @fulluf
    @fulluf Год назад +4451

    watching it again 6 years later and it still is the best explanation of politic rules ever.

    • @SuHwak
      @SuHwak Год назад +71

      Not just that, but its been true throughout age of time, even right now. Case-in-point, The president of Peru chose the path of Revolt->Fail->To Jail (see 15:40).

    • @robertruschak7083
      @robertruschak7083 Год назад +2

      👑 of everything 👑

    • @jamaalfridge
      @jamaalfridge Год назад +11

      So you got the book the video is based on, right?

    • @sirrebelpaulc3439
      @sirrebelpaulc3439 Год назад

      @@SuHwak Apparently we lived for thousands of years in a different system that broke these rules and everyone was happy and sustainable. They're not here anymore, of course. Ask any leftist anthropologist and they'll say that without giving any proof or examples.

  • @Nugcon
    @Nugcon 4 года назад +10406

    I successfully started a coup and became a dictator after running for school president. Great video.

  • @tdimensional6733
    @tdimensional6733 4 года назад +2930

    To quote the Donkey Kong Country cartoon:
    "He who holds the coconut, rules."

    • @ethangoldsmith9332
      @ethangoldsmith9332 4 года назад +34

      Hol nut, rule

    • @thetayterminator1436
      @thetayterminator1436 4 года назад +8

      The "Golden Rule", he who holds the Gold Rules.

    • @novkorova2774
      @novkorova2774 4 года назад +4

      The problem is that what people decide has some power over other, in democracy violenece through the state is validated, so if 90% of people want to make it legal to kill the other 10%, when someone else likes shitty music, or a shitty film or shitty shoes you don't care because they are free to like that and you are not affected by that, democracy is the mass apressing the rest, forcing them to follow their beliefs.

    • @krishivagarwal5189
      @krishivagarwal5189 4 года назад +10

      The coconut being the said nation's resources.

    • @baranxlr
      @baranxlr 4 года назад +3

      So it is written.

  • @shigotaichikuchi5924
    @shigotaichikuchi5924 Год назад +1989

    "When approval ratings couldn't be lower, yet re-election rates couldn't be higher, you'll know you've succeeded"...MOST PROFOUND STATEMENT EVER

  • @leesnotbritish5386
    @leesnotbritish5386 Год назад +5813

    This video has legitimately had a huge impact on how I view politics and government. If I could make everyone in the US watch a single video, it would be this

    • @urbanfrog
      @urbanfrog Год назад +85

      Same, view this video when it came out, and it really shaped who i am today

    • @Hohhot
      @Hohhot Год назад +254

      Screw only the US, make the whole world watch this

    • @missously2088
      @missously2088 Год назад +33

      Reminds me of the ongoing protests in Iran right now.

    • @Stierenkloot
      @Stierenkloot Год назад +39

      It is in my top three videos on RUclips and I can’t think of what the other two are right now. I always think of this one though.

    • @andrewconti2993
      @andrewconti2993 Год назад +30

      If I could force everyone to watch one, it would be the ranked choice voting one.

  • @EdgyShooter
    @EdgyShooter 4 года назад +19658

    I know the banana represents food, but I like the idea that all dictators have one key guy who demands bananas

  • @bakedbeans2163
    @bakedbeans2163 2 года назад +19808

    Grey, you've inspired me to become a dictator. Thank you.

    • @brendansunra
      @brendansunra 2 года назад +900

      Can I be one of your keys? I'm a polisci grad with a knack for electoral strategy and coup-proofing. My services would be quite beneficial to your new regime.

    • @bakedbeans2163
      @bakedbeans2163 2 года назад +613

      @@brendansunra Absolutely. But before I appoint you, how can I be certain that you won’t topple me if times get rough?

    • @brendansunra
      @brendansunra 2 года назад +622

      @@bakedbeans2163 Well, if times get tough because you're making bonehead decisions you can't be certain I won't.

    • @rifz42
      @rifz42 2 года назад +358

      @@brendansunra Can I be one of your keys, if BakedBeans screws up?

    • @brendansunra
      @brendansunra 2 года назад +411

      @@rifz42 Yes, on 3 conditions:
      1. Keep this whole "plotting against BakedBeans" thing on the DL
      2. Have a relevant skillset for running our empire
      3. Be a fan of late 2000s pop

  • @bquimby5223
    @bquimby5223 2 года назад +2756

    "These rules apply to all, and explain their actions. From the CEO of the largest global conglomerate, who must keep his board happy, to the chair of the smallest homeowners' association, managing votes and spending membership fees. You cannot escape structures of power. You can only turn a blind eye to understanding them."

    • @LeBonkJordan
      @LeBonkJordan Год назад +1

      What they don't want us to realize is that structures of power, whether hierarchical or not, are artificial. Neither hierarchy nor egalitarianism are natural for humans; they are choices that we can make. When they say we can't escape hierarchies, the truth is that we can't escape them _without demolishing them._

    • @dinamosflams
      @dinamosflams Год назад +160

      "you can ignore reality, but you never be able to ignore the effects of you ignoring reality"

    • @kasamigi8031
      @kasamigi8031 Год назад +106

      "Blinding yourself doesn't make the sun go away"

  • @andywest6768
    @andywest6768 Год назад +788

    Thanks! I bought the Dictator's Handbook after watching this, and found it instructive.

    • @CGPGrey
      @CGPGrey  Год назад +626

      Instructive? 😬

  • @cksoup
    @cksoup 4 года назад +4897

    my rules for rulers:
    -must have increments of measurment
    -must be accurate
    -must be practically sized

    • @charlesfraunhofer7893
      @charlesfraunhofer7893 4 года назад +73

      Rules for rulers: make a set of rules, that's it.

    • @itssillysam26
      @itssillysam26 4 года назад +261

      Meanwhile in America:
      The car is about 8 fridges away from our house.

    • @Number1tnfan683
      @Number1tnfan683 4 года назад +95

      Enclave Soldier all measurement is arbitrary

    • @adferxis
      @adferxis 4 года назад +21

      @@Number1tnfan683 Someone who gets it

    • @chinezerebel9443
      @chinezerebel9443 4 года назад +50

      -must be sturdy enough to whack your dying gold mine slaves

  • @SpicyChickenGodAJ
    @SpicyChickenGodAJ 7 лет назад +7061

    This is the best Tropico tutorial I've ever watched.

  • @paulaneary7877
    @paulaneary7877 Год назад +794

    WOW, this is the BEST explaination of how politics and a few other things work in this crazy world. Far Better explaination than I have gotten from ANY teacher ANYWHERE in my life. Thank You so much!

  • @sl33pw17h4ng3l5
    @sl33pw17h4ng3l5 Год назад +419

    Your tone of voice for this video is what I can only describe as Neutrally Evil; you calmly lay out the reasoning and motives for political (in?)action with a benevolent maliciousness.
    Which is, almost more than the content itself, terrifying. Excellent use of music to underscore it all.

  • @hkayakh
    @hkayakh 4 года назад +4690

    Rules for being a ruler
    1) be made out of wood
    2) have tick marks every inch/centimeter
    3)be used for measuring

    • @hkayakh
      @hkayakh 4 года назад +98

      4)be rectangle

    • @royisdabest
      @royisdabest 4 года назад +202

      rules for being a ruler 2.0
      1) metal, wood, plastic, I dont give a shit
      2) metric only, no hamburger eagle gun marks per centimeter
      3) be made to measure penis and penis only

    • @shikderarfan6596
      @shikderarfan6596 4 года назад +53

      you IMBECILE. Stainless steel, cork backed, 18 in rulers are far superior, and can be used to whack people as well as measure things incredibly accurately

    • @hkayakh
      @hkayakh 4 года назад +26

      *_-5) get broken-_*

    • @XCHDragox115
      @XCHDragox115 4 года назад +53

      If created in Asia:
      6) used by parents to lecture their kids

  • @STUV101
    @STUV101 4 года назад +3623

    In all honesty I just use these rules to make good rulers and villains for Dungeons and Dragons.

    • @kingslushie1018
      @kingslushie1018 4 года назад +194

      I am gonna probably use these rules in making my novel.

    • @zzzzaaaa9966
      @zzzzaaaa9966 4 года назад +36

      STUV101 I do the exact same

    • @anh-san
      @anh-san 4 года назад +57

      STUV101 why did I not think of this, thanks man.

    • @i-love-comountains3850
      @i-love-comountains3850 4 года назад +9

      solid!!

    • @makse10
      @makse10 4 года назад +17

      Killer idea. I'll have to try it out. Cheers.

  • @kroegerfamily8371
    @kroegerfamily8371 Год назад +944

    CGP Grey is putting me down the path to either becoming a cruel dicator or a violent ararchist

    • @su1t0n11
      @su1t0n11 Год назад +61

      Depending on the country you live in, I don't give hope to any. The army won't just let an anarchist movement spike up, that is not how you make money

  • @wisemoldsthoughts2119
    @wisemoldsthoughts2119 Год назад +162

    I started a coup in my military academy group because our leaders were not thinking about all members and were selfish and arrogant, then I became a leader, then I understood that it is impossible by nature to make everyone happy when someone needs to do the job no-one wants to do, then I became selfish and arrogant... cycle complete

    • @Flamme-Sanabi
      @Flamme-Sanabi Год назад +6

      I assume there was a second coup?

    • @wisemoldsthoughts2119
      @wisemoldsthoughts2119 Год назад +35

      @@Flamme-Sanabi and you are 100% right :) I made a couple of mistakes in managing all relationships and I was a bit too arrogant without even caring about my "keys"... so, basically I kept the official status and role but in fact there was a silent "don't do anything he says and try to harm him if possible" mood in my group in the last year of our education, basically, I lost all allies and reputation and ended up just having a role, some privileges and doing my business

    • @Flamme-Sanabi
      @Flamme-Sanabi Год назад +8

      @@wisemoldsthoughts2119 that's too bad, better luck next time, though try to follow the given rules of this video a bit closer.

  • @ti2218
    @ti2218 3 года назад +6958

    They'd never show us this in school yet this is one of the most important things a student could learn about the balance of power on Earth.

    • @alzhanvoidsansado
      @alzhanvoidsansado 3 года назад +153

      You can always make this a presentation.

    • @ti2218
      @ti2218 3 года назад +206

      @@alzhanvoidsansado that's a genius idea. Maybe I'll get an opportunity,but I'm on my last months of senior year so I don't know.

    • @amiable97
      @amiable97 3 года назад +88

      over here we had discussions like these in high school politics classes dont know why they wouldnt do so in other places. Sometimes even done in a class roleplay scenario where we chose our dictator and leaders etc. even in History classes. maybe i just got lucky with teachers who knows.

    • @ralphscopo738
      @ralphscopo738 3 года назад +36

      I actually did watch this video in one of my classes

    • @adhithyap.9441
      @adhithyap.9441 3 года назад +20

      @@ti2218 same. I really wish they showed this to everyone, including me in my earlier schooling years.

  • @BRUN1SOUL
    @BRUN1SOUL 3 года назад +5817

    Best quote i've ever heard "The throne may look omnipotent from afar, but take the throne to act, and the throne acts upon you." I don't know why it sticks to well to me.

    • @tegan1802
      @tegan1802 3 года назад +231

      Don't get me wrong, I love the quote alone, but spinning it to sound like a warning just gives it that little extra tingle in the spine that really sets you on edge. In my opinion at least.
      "That throne may look omnipotent from afar, but trust me when I tell you that all is not as it would first appear; you may take the throne to act, but only when it is too late will you realise that it is the throne that has acted upon you."

    • @adhithyap.9441
      @adhithyap.9441 3 года назад +40

      @@tegan1802 ooh dramatic. this should be in a novel

    • @LK_tutturu
      @LK_tutturu 3 года назад +129

      @@tegan1802 the original is already a clear warning, dense, short and sweet. You make it longer with unnecessary words.

    • @tegan1802
      @tegan1802 3 года назад +13

      @@LK_tutturu Sure - the extra words are unnecessary to get the point across, but which is more dramatic?

    • @LK_tutturu
      @LK_tutturu 3 года назад +64

      @@tegan1802 certainly the former. If you want, you can just deliver it with dramatic pauses. There are reasons why quotes are so quotable, as I mentioned. It is, however, still a subjective matter.

  • @Randoman590
    @Randoman590 Год назад +952

    Grey mentions how taking the Moral High Road makes the game more difficult by giving leverage over your Keys to your rivals. That got me thinking. Is there any amount of sheer charisma or moral inspiration in your supporters that can overcome that temptation to backstab the ruler? Are there any notable historical examples of Key Supporters rejecting a better offer from a rival out of sheer loyalty to their current ruler or their cause?

    • @Mark_badas
      @Mark_badas Год назад +203

      It's a rule not a law.

    • @lilyabatliwala6789
      @lilyabatliwala6789 Год назад +489

      Like he said, "Even if you have gathered the most loyal, angelic supporters, they have the same problem as you, just one level down."
      "They too must watch out for rivals from below or above: thus the treasure they get must also be spent to maintain their position."

    • @anatar2518
      @anatar2518 Год назад +155

      There is one. Maybe the only one Mustafa Kemal Atatürk. But it comes from pure loyalty from military and people to a war hero . So it is a bit cheating.

    • @joshskier
      @joshskier Год назад +230

      @@anatar2518 I don't think it's cheating at all; it is a valid criteria. If becoming a war hero is what it takes to max out your charisma stat then so be it.

    • @Aaronlune
      @Aaronlune Год назад +109

      Spend enough treasure on the ruled (or simply convince enough of the population that you are) and you can make the ruled unruly if you are deposed. What I think the video gets 'wrong' that even in dictatorships you still need enough support from the populous. To a degree the ruled population is still a key. Guns, armor, fortification, organization and stuff are all force multipliers and a military utterly divorced from the populous is hard to foster even with a caste system, at some point a population willing to potentially die for freedom can overcome a military. JC got stabbed to death because (and other reasons) he was trying to use this fact to get around needing the keys of the senate.

  • @cyberlord64
    @cyberlord64 Год назад +120

    Every once in a while, I see something that makes the lightbulb above my head light up. Suddenly a concept not only makes sense, but becomes a link to other concepts, like a jigsaw puzzle that fits in the middle of a picture bringing it all together.
    Thank you for this

  • @mr._seal1103
    @mr._seal1103 7 лет назад +1022

    when you realize there are no such things as corrupt politicians, but they are just politicians

    • @Alexaflohr
      @Alexaflohr 7 лет назад +11

      Makes you think, doesn't it?

    • @troychavez
      @troychavez 7 лет назад +19

      Open to question, but it is a fair point... :/

    • @Sammysapphira
      @Sammysapphira 7 лет назад +46

      That's not even remotely true at all.

    • @Ianx50
      @Ianx50 7 лет назад +157

      +benblue3
      You're right, there are non-corrupt politicians. They just don't stick around for very long because of the points presented here.

    • @DarkSTKx
      @DarkSTKx 7 лет назад

      benblue3 what's not remotely true?

  • @sarahgraves6759
    @sarahgraves6759 4 года назад +2036

    "... And who knows, maybe you'll be different." Good last line, mate.

    • @TrollSlayerLogan
      @TrollSlayerLogan 4 года назад +66

      Adolf and Pinochet's worst crime was being different

    • @notsojharedtroll23
      @notsojharedtroll23 4 года назад +7

      @@TrollSlayerLogan xd

    • @Karl_der_Genosse
      @Karl_der_Genosse 4 года назад +40

      @@TrollSlayerLogan
      I'd rather say the holocaust and throwing people out of helicopters were their crimes mate

    • @Karl_der_Genosse
      @Karl_der_Genosse 4 года назад +27

      @@TrollSlayerLogan
      In the bombings of dresden didn't die serbs. How could these bombings kill 17 Millions?
      God, you will never be part of our society.
      Come to germany and we show you what we think of Nazis like you, you won't last a second

    • @TrollSlayerLogan
      @TrollSlayerLogan 4 года назад +13

      @@Karl_der_Genosse Is it the same Germany under Merkel? Place looks more divided than Bosnia

  • @kevingubernatis3324
    @kevingubernatis3324 Год назад +107

    That last bit was absolutely true. Some of the most insidious kinds of corruption perhaps not the worst, but the most common place are in municipal, and local politics. Somebody who gets elected mayor, and institutes a project that repairs the roads, who conveniently has that project start on their Street, it's far too commonplace, and far too accepted.

  • @GraysonStealth
    @GraysonStealth Год назад +274

    I'd have to say... this is the best informative video on the internet

  • @endothegreatthief4432
    @endothegreatthief4432 3 года назад +6128

    This really never stops being relevant, does it?

    • @littlewhizard723
      @littlewhizard723 3 года назад +277

      It won't ever not be

    • @Doctor-Infinite
      @Doctor-Infinite 3 года назад +35

      Ah a fellow Celeste fan. You're a woman of culture
      Especially if you watch videos like this

    • @user-bg6xh7vv7t
      @user-bg6xh7vv7t 3 года назад +11

      maddy pfp huh? 194 golden strawbs here, how about you

    • @NeostormXLMAX
      @NeostormXLMAX 3 года назад +37

      until the end of humanity

    • @matthewnewhouse4634
      @matthewnewhouse4634 3 года назад +89

      It's scary how many people now a days don't realize this is how governments works. People always think that governments have the peoples bests interest in mind until they are well bad off that they can't ignore it.

  • @oswald7597
    @oswald7597 3 года назад +5685

    "The people only storm the palace when the army let's them"
    Funny that

    • @DrOfficedog
      @DrOfficedog 3 года назад +158

      A it was totally a coup when they didn’t try to hold it or make demands.

    • @bradenallen1241
      @bradenallen1241 3 года назад +247

      @@DrOfficedog Doesn't matter what it was, they're terrorists either way.

    • @DrOfficedog
      @DrOfficedog 3 года назад +231

      @@bradenallen1241 they’re only terrorists because they entered government property/Support the President. In the 60s an armed radical terrorist group stormed the capital, made demands and nothing happened to them. Those terrorists were Black Panthers.

    • @flexingfletchyt4756
      @flexingfletchyt4756 3 года назад +16

      V for vendetta: Yep ima write that down

    • @d.m.collins1501
      @d.m.collins1501 3 года назад +89

      @@DrOfficedog what day was that? I'll look that up in my history books oh wait it's a lie.

  • @adamrodaway9116
    @adamrodaway9116 2 года назад +110

    Rule 5. When you’ve spent all the treasure and the people start getting restive, start a war. Either on an internal group (Jews, Kulaks….etc.) or a neighbour (Poland, Falklands, Ukraine…)

  • @benh715
    @benh715 Год назад +86

    This video should be part of every school curriculum. It’s a great way to understand the world.

    • @devon301f
      @devon301f Год назад +10

      But remember, democracy’s are still a for-profit business and therefore education and community are a danger to it. Proper US history and education on its structure are not a part of curriculum for a reason.

  • @PhysiOSQuantum
    @PhysiOSQuantum 7 лет назад +4183

    Laws are like sausages, it is better not to see them being made. - Otto Von Bismark

    • @Fuchsia_tude
      @Fuchsia_tude 7 лет назад +395

      He didn't say that, but it's better not to see quote attributions being made.

    • @gayvideos3808
      @gayvideos3808 6 лет назад +9

      Fuchsia 'tude Who didn't what?

    • @Fuchsia_tude
      @Fuchsia_tude 6 лет назад +8

      say that thing POSQ said he did

    • @chrisschoenthaler5184
      @chrisschoenthaler5184 6 лет назад +34

      Fuchsia 'tude Good to see you giving legitimate backing for what you say. However, while the quote did not originate with Bismarck, that does not mean he never said it. It is entirely plausible that Bismarck used an obscure older quote, and people who had never heard it before just assumed he said it first. You should probably edit your original comment.

    • @takref1
      @takref1 6 лет назад +2

      PhysiOSQuantum I

  • @TheFarCobra
    @TheFarCobra 3 года назад +1878

    4 years later and still the most important video on the internet.

    • @murilo2330
      @murilo2330 3 года назад +60

      power is eternal, therefore, stuff explaining about power is also eternal.

    • @reeeeeeeeeeeeeeman6757
      @reeeeeeeeeeeeeeman6757 3 года назад +11

      Wait this was 4 years ago

    • @TheFarCobra
      @TheFarCobra 3 года назад +12

      @@murilo2330 Well put.

    • @drabberfrog
      @drabberfrog 3 года назад +2

      I agree

    • @JalalShahoud
      @JalalShahoud 3 года назад +10

      I mean really can this ever go irrelevant? Please?

  • @cattoleonce4066
    @cattoleonce4066 2 года назад +56

    that one dictator that spent everything on the citizens until he got killed by the military leader : 👁👄👁

  • @theofender5523
    @theofender5523 Год назад +41

    A fantastic summary of such a complicated problem. I was also dumbfounded by how accurate the structure of power is in everyone's life no matter what

  • @smalltiny
    @smalltiny 7 лет назад +2504

    1. Measure in cm and inches
    2. Be transparent.
    3. Be portable and safe to use

    • @kcechoxzar
      @kcechoxzar 7 лет назад +201

      then: 1. Measure in bananas

    • @fattshea6312
      @fattshea6312 7 лет назад +3

      Top meme m9

    • @sundude800
      @sundude800 7 лет назад +4

      WHY ISN'T THIS TOP COMMENT!!!!!1!!111!11!!!!!!!

    • @Infernape7890
      @Infernape7890 7 лет назад

      Beautiful!

    • @kalvincastro9042
      @kalvincastro9042 7 лет назад +53

      Discriminating against wooden and metal rulers :(

  • @thomasrobinson5679
    @thomasrobinson5679 3 года назад +5929

    "The people only storm the palace when the soldiers let them.." That... aged well...

    • @ofrikirshen3071
      @ofrikirshen3071 2 года назад +661

      @@ShiningTitan ur not a chad...

    • @blackgemstone801
      @blackgemstone801 2 года назад +596

      @@ShiningTitan ah great. Someone comparing one jackass dying to the hundreds of unarmed people shot by police for peacefully marching.

    • @maximocaseres2526
      @maximocaseres2526 2 года назад +44

      So, what happened now?
      I dont watch news very often.

    • @Marcos42563
      @Marcos42563 2 года назад +354

      @@maximocaseres2526 Probably in reference to the capitol building thing that happened in the states at the start of the year.

    • @VenikHue
      @VenikHue 2 года назад +115

      I think he meant that the people storming a palace and succeeding only happens if the soldiers let them.

  • @diver2791
    @diver2791 Год назад +34

    Not all revolts/revolutions are secretly backed by the military or other keys though.
    Sometimes it just so happens that all major power institutions (and numerous rulers and keys behind them) are weakened by natural disasters, foreign invasions or some severe economic crisis.
    Sometimes it just comes to the point that a new institution can emerge unopposed and semi-independently from the power vacuum and start a proper civil war.

  • @iraqigeek8363
    @iraqigeek8363 2 года назад +44

    The current events in Ukraine and the swath of sanctions imposed by the west on Russia reminded me of this video and of The Dictator's Handbook

  • @some1337dude1
    @some1337dude1 2 года назад +2198

    This feels like a tyrant who's been overthrown giving advice and turn-over to the rebel commander.

    • @tlhm7102
      @tlhm7102 2 года назад +220

      ESPECIALLY the ending bit
      "Better you on the throne than someone else...Then maybe you'll be different *fades into literal obscurity*."
      it seems so much like something out of a book or something

    • @edwinhuang9244
      @edwinhuang9244 Год назад +83

      @@tlhm7102 You forgot the "ruler's hat morphs into dictator's hat"

    • @element1192
      @element1192 Год назад +13

      Or rather, his son, as in the case of Prince Souphanouvong

    • @_ee75
      @_ee75 Год назад +16

      @@tlhm7102 that's why we love grey, he can be so ominous and mysterious at times

    • @medical-cyanide1526
      @medical-cyanide1526 Год назад +7

      Definitely feels like a story, as others have suggested maybe a king to his son, a dictator to his child, the glorious leader to his son.

  • @minervablake7573
    @minervablake7573 7 лет назад +3087

    Damn, I never realized that stick figures could be so expressive...

    • @justincronkright5025
      @justincronkright5025 7 лет назад +79

      Watch some other videoes on the mind and all that stuff will start showing you that... Maybe, it's just our brains doing most of the work. We're making a nice story up for the flashing of stick figures coming and going one by one.

    • @arulmalhotra8587
      @arulmalhotra8587 6 лет назад +7

      same

    • @TRG_real
      @TRG_real 6 лет назад +5

      When you have 2k likes and 3 comments....

    • @feynstein1004
      @feynstein1004 6 лет назад +7

      Check out Historia civilis. You'll marvel at how you come to care for a collection of squares and boxes.

    • @Wilker_uwu
      @Wilker_uwu 6 лет назад +1

      ever heard of Animator vs. Animation by Alan Becker?

  • @lordsiomai
    @lordsiomai Год назад +26

    This is so well made. It touches on so many topics without being drowned in so much detail about single one of them

  • @Revenkin
    @Revenkin Год назад +141

    That's why in Australia voting is mandatory. If everyone votes, everyone is a keyblock demographic that can't be overlooked or taken advantage of... Or at least that is the optimal health for Australia. Unfortunately we have extremely biased privatised news outlets so a lot of the plans and funding for lower keys and entire keyblocks are hidden or taken advantage of anyway

    • @zibix4562
      @zibix4562 Год назад +15

      I actually agree that it should be mandatory in the us. Vote or be fined 1% of your income (or 100 USD), whichever is greater. Throw your vote away by voting for a third party or put in the write in part "I am doing this under duress" and just do your damn civic duty.
      Also all businesses have to give people time to go vote. Write in ballets is acceptable.

    • @oz_jones
      @oz_jones Год назад +17

      Ah yes, lets take notes from a prison colony :D
      You literally live in a dictatorship.

    • @ManoredRed
      @ManoredRed Год назад

      Doesn't work in practice.
      Mandatory voting is populist and corruption fodder.
      Poor ignorant people who normally wouldn't vote vote and get their vote purchased by some corrupt guy, or are brainwashed by a populist.
      Also happens in Brazil. In some places its still common for politicians to literally give people fuel, or farm animals, or whatever for their vote, often having entire networks of people to do this in a large scale.

    • @jsquared1013
      @jsquared1013 Год назад +20

      Better to have varied biases in the privatized media than have a singular, government-controlled bias (see: Russia, China, etc).

  • @MachineMan-mj4gj
    @MachineMan-mj4gj 3 года назад +6308

    This isn’t dark, it’s just honest.

    • @treeamble585
      @treeamble585 2 года назад +351

      The two aren't opposites, it can be honest and dark at the same time

    • @HeidenLam
      @HeidenLam 2 года назад +151

      Being honest is dark, we live in a society

    • @MachineMan-mj4gj
      @MachineMan-mj4gj 2 года назад +32

      @@HeidenLam Go I'm so sick of this society around me.

    • @MachineMan-mj4gj
      @MachineMan-mj4gj 2 года назад +6

      @Je720 Republics fail because the people become lazy.

    • @stillwatersrundeep001
      @stillwatersrundeep001 2 года назад +25

      It isn't the whole truth. It's being relentlessly cynical for the sake of crafting a simple theoretical model, but it isn't backed up by a large chunk of history. The transition from dictatorships to democracies, for example.

  • @AmrSaleh
    @AmrSaleh 4 года назад +2702

    I have lived through 2 Military Coups, 2 Revolutions and 1 democracy. After watching this video, now IT ALL MAKES SENSE..

  • @beneditobraz7179
    @beneditobraz7179 Год назад +50

    This is probably the best overview of basic politics video ever made. Excelent work.

  • @ceucanis
    @ceucanis Год назад +38

    Wow, just read some of the Prince for a class and am realizing how alike these ideas are. Machiavelli

    • @nutyyyy
      @nutyyyy Год назад +7

      It's almost as if Machiavelli understood these principles. Admittedly, in a different time to our but the basic principles of power remain the same.

  • @AtrumDelorox
    @AtrumDelorox 7 лет назад +2161

    I know it's suppose to be educational, but this felt dark as fuck. Soul crushingly hopeless.
    Yet some part of me liked it.

    • @SolarScion
      @SolarScion 7 лет назад +143

      Indeed. None of these systems work at scale to allow for a fair society. Once a system becomes large enough that any one person is not accountable to any other, the power structure begins to supersede humanity.

    • @farmerboy916
      @farmerboy916 7 лет назад +26

      Which is why you simply eliminate non-voluntary power structures.

    • @512TheWolf512
      @512TheWolf512 7 лет назад +2

      that's a simple confirmationof the statement, that whoever has the power has anything

    • @esbenandersen5706
      @esbenandersen5706 7 лет назад +9

      Americapox and The Trouble with Transporters were very much in the same tone. It's very different, if you compare to say, the Zebra vs Horses video (Which came after Americapox, IIRC, and on a related note) or even his Why the UK Elections were the Worst in History (Also on a fairly depressing subject). I don't know why, but it seems Mr. Grey is trying (And achieving) vastly different moods with educational videos.
      Like you, I like the variety... but I also like H.P. Lovecrafts work on the abject insignificance of humanity, and how all our dreams will eventually be wrought to naught by a being so far beyond our understanding that it's not even monstrous; it just never realised we were there to be ruined.

    • @autolykos9822
      @autolykos9822 7 лет назад +90

      Yup. The saddest part is that there is no evil conspiracy. It's simply a result of game theory (i.e. mathematics), and just as unavoidable as water flowing downhill. And it's not just in politics - coordination problems are almost always the reason we can't have nice things.
      A (very long, slightly rambly) article that discusses this kind of problem in more detail would be Scott Alexander's "Meditations on Moloch":
      slatestarcodex.com/2014/07/30/meditations-on-moloch/
      TL;DR: Almost no one is evil. Almost everything is broken.

  • @dimix2199
    @dimix2199 7 лет назад +3178

    this is an amazing video, but also depressing tbh

    • @dimix2199
      @dimix2199 7 лет назад +71

      i wish there was a way to break this system

    • @rronaldreagan
      @rronaldreagan 7 лет назад +22

      its really not, the obejctive is to taint every politician as corrupt and promote this immoral behaviour as something to be happily accepted by the citizens (the slaves in CPG greys mind).
      Nihilistic BS with the same mantra of moral relativism. Dont fall for it, its as fallacious as his video on why indians were primitive and underdeveloped, while europeans were almost so advance as to be considered from a different planet

    • @GryphonSkull
      @GryphonSkull 7 лет назад +18

      power dynamics may change in the future - technology is advancing exponentially and soon a lot of the productivity or lifestyle of the people will be dependent (or simply drastically changed) by those advances (e.g. a computer some decades ago cost a fortune - now you can get an outdated, but still new and amazing laptop (with internet -> education) for less than 100€. the same with cows -> modern farming equipment or inefficient miners -> mining machines etc)
      ...although of course it could backfire horribly; revolutionary people in a democracy might stop being afraid to change the system and to take money from the people since the productivity + treasure aren't dependent on those humans anymore, thus resulting in democracy dieing out and being replaced by dictatorships only ;D

    • @fenrirgg
      @fenrirgg 7 лет назад +18

      Maybe when there's super abundance of resources of knowledge and things then all this game of thrones garbage can be abolished, but it's not the case, sadly. The leader is always there because he supports main keys.

    • @PyroManSir
      @PyroManSir 7 лет назад +21

      You want to change the system? Change the main componant of the system, the people. But go change the people so that they're so enlightened they can always not think for themselves first.

  • @washcode9613
    @washcode9613 Год назад +19

    I watched the Cortex podcast video about this and I have to say I'm really glad you made this despite it being a harder one for you to make. It's one of my favorite videos of yours. This kind of structure to power is one of those things that's there and maybe apparent to a lot of people but seems like no one discusses directly but is important to

  • @Unknown_Ooh
    @Unknown_Ooh Год назад +68

    A fun game I'd recommend is called Reigns (Android & IOS) and it's a swipe left or swipe right type of game and you are a ruler and have to keep balance of the elite, military and the citizens and if you get too low you can be overthrown or other things can happen. It's not a serious game but it's an easy way to pass time.

    • @skorp5677
      @skorp5677 Год назад

      Yep, it's amazing :)

  • @petersmythe6462
    @petersmythe6462 4 года назад +2292

    "You can't eliminate those who don't vote for you."
    *Challenge Accepted*

    • @leannemo7382
      @leannemo7382 4 года назад +85

      Hillary, is that you? ;)

    • @cult_of_odin
      @cult_of_odin 4 года назад +4

      @AJ Kelly dude you have a lot to learn about reading comprehension since I was agreeing with you.

    • @dorkmax7073
      @dorkmax7073 4 года назад +15

      Cough cough voter ID laws cough cough

    • @Mr.Havoc4212
      @Mr.Havoc4212 4 года назад

      Good luck

    • @JessSimpson1313
      @JessSimpson1313 4 года назад +29

      @AJ Kelly nothing like some casual anti-Semitism in RUclips comments amirite?

  • @CarlosRios1
    @CarlosRios1 7 лет назад +1451

    I thought that Rule 0 was: "Keep the army happy.""

    • @techdroid2000
      @techdroid2000 7 лет назад +2

      Carlos Rios Military Industrial Complex, always worth learning about.

    • @512TheWolf512
      @512TheWolf512 7 лет назад +12

      that's the main rule - have the power

    • @omegasrevenge
      @omegasrevenge 7 лет назад +109

      The army is merely another Key supporter. A very important one, sure, but nothing more.

    • @512TheWolf512
      @512TheWolf512 7 лет назад +27

      abschussrampe
      no, it is the key key supporter

    • @carsonchiu6069
      @carsonchiu6069 7 лет назад +33

      can't pay the army without the bureaucrats

  • @bluehatbrit
    @bluehatbrit 2 года назад +32

    Don't mind me, just re-watching to refresh my memory due to current events.

  • @sagadoom2
    @sagadoom2 Год назад +43

    This video is one of the few things I can clearly say changed how I looked at the world. I ended up reading the book as well and I have never looked at politics in any regime the same way again, even years later. Great video

    • @pepperpoop7729
      @pepperpoop7729 Год назад +1

      Which book ?

    • @sagadoom2
      @sagadoom2 Год назад +7

      @@pepperpoop7729 In the video description "The Dictators Handbook"

  • @NachoTaco112
    @NachoTaco112 3 года назад +797

    Instructions unclear, accidentally reuinited the Russian Empire and became the Tsar

  • @randomstuffc.j.o1408
    @randomstuffc.j.o1408 3 года назад +6221

    In the future
    Dictator : I would like to thank this youtube channel called cgp Grey for teaching me how to win power
    Edit: Wow 6k likes.... I'm famous, also thank you to Rise of Kingdoms for teaching me very important things about military doctrine such as a 5% buff at attack for [insert civilization here] which helped me in my conquests

    • @Hell_O7
      @Hell_O7 3 года назад +612

      CGP Grey: *gets promoted under them*
      Just as planned.....

    • @muhammedmansoor3406
      @muhammedmansoor3406 3 года назад +322

      @@Hell_O7 you see this goes against the cgp video . They might hepl them take power but are no longer necessary so no reward and they go to gulag beacuse they are no longer useful to the dictator

    • @ltpetrenko
      @ltpetrenko 3 года назад +156

      @@muhammedmansoor3406 This is just a preview of a full online dictator course.

    • @magatism
      @magatism 3 года назад +41

      This is probably the Key he will remove.

    • @kevinslattery5748
      @kevinslattery5748 3 года назад +31

      I would like to thank CGP Grey for teaching me how to win power.

  • @schrodingersdad6077
    @schrodingersdad6077 Год назад +7

    15 years of spending time on this website and this video just so happens to take the top spot on my favourite videos.

  • @ethribin4188
    @ethribin4188 Год назад +7

    The best video on your channel.
    And the most eye opening video about politics, leaders, dilomats, rulers and ruling systems.
    This video should be in every school room

  • @sporkeh90
    @sporkeh90 3 года назад +5173

    Stalins solution: refresh those keys every other week.

    • @hristiyandelisyarov6487
      @hristiyandelisyarov6487 2 года назад +370

      Sixteen times the power....it just works

    • @ehabuossef8026
      @ehabuossef8026 2 года назад +343

      I mean yeah why would you need to pay your keys if you can just kill them every week and focus on your people
      You complain?
      You dont like the money i give you?
      You demand more money or you overthrown me?
      Alright then *gun bullet sound*

    • @kramarancko1107
      @kramarancko1107 2 года назад +59

      But if he killed them on a regular basis to be replaced wouldn’t the people who would become keys eventually catch on and stop trying to become the keys?

    • @hamdaanchalky7724
      @hamdaanchalky7724 2 года назад +161

      @@kramarancko1107 but the keys were living better lives than the peasants. Rather live better for a week than die a sad death after ur sad life. Also they were gambling on the chances that they would survive.

    • @randombystander991
      @randombystander991 2 года назад +136

      If they remain loyal, they're safe. Many Stalin's subordinates worked with him for a very long time, some during all his rule even.

  • @ReliquaryPrime
    @ReliquaryPrime 3 года назад +1902

    Well, THAT was depressing...

    • @woofiegoofie
      @woofiegoofie 3 года назад +6

      @Matthew Morycinski you cannot use the word compromise in Dictatorship system.

    • @wtfbros5110
      @wtfbros5110 3 года назад +2

      @@woofiegoofie tell that to Beria

    • @woofiegoofie
      @woofiegoofie 3 года назад +1

      @@wtfbros5110 At first I don't know him but ugh he's awful.

    • @wtfbros5110
      @wtfbros5110 3 года назад +2

      @@woofiegoofieyeah he's almost as bad as Himmler, which is ironic since he wants detente with the west and a united neutral germany

    • @elitemook4234
      @elitemook4234 3 года назад +19

      It get's worse. What happens when human labor is made obsolete by AI and robots? The elites purge the plebs to protect their position of power in accrodence with the second law.

  • @liaml.e.5964
    @liaml.e.5964 2 года назад +12

    The fun thing about all these is that people still believe that, just for being in the 21st century we are beyond all those medieval tactics.... when in fact things have never truly changed, they have only gotten more convoluted.

  • @lordhosseinlh
    @lordhosseinlh 5 месяцев назад +10

    The king of my country ones said that as a king he does not make false promises or false hope to people. He said, unlike in a democracy where leader promise everything to the people and don't follow through, I promise exactly what I can deliver and so far my work is my proof.

  • @13lackout360
    @13lackout360 2 года назад +5161

    This gets scarier when you consider the rise of automation. Our democracy is fueled by the productivity of our citizens, but what if the citizens are no longer needed?

    • @ypsawbones3646
      @ypsawbones3646 2 года назад +719

      Well better you on the throne than someone else

    • @animax2422
      @animax2422 2 года назад +902

      Companies are still productive automated or not, and they still need the citizens to buy their products. If the citizens still have power (money) being productive in other areas, they still fuel democracy.

    • @cakeisyummy5755
      @cakeisyummy5755 2 года назад +78

      Anarchism.

    • @user-rl3zw8mg2p
      @user-rl3zw8mg2p 2 года назад +82

      By that time citizens are nolonger citizens anymore, we are about going enter a world exactly like cyber-punk2077. Try join those big tech Corps, or killed by gangsters and die on the streets.

    • @octavianjoseph8633
      @octavianjoseph8633 2 года назад +93

      Well, then, common citizens get to live their lives without the looming anxieties of needing to subject yourself to long work weeks because you feel you aren't doing enough. (It really is not as healthy as you think it is.)
      Maybe developing hobbies, they can then develop into a career they actually enjoy, they can potentially earn money from. People aren't lazy, they just don't want to work for big bad corporations.
      And everything else such as making products will probably be taking care of by automation.

  • @NathanS__
    @NathanS__ 3 года назад +3622

    A perfect example and warning is Emperor Pedro II of Brazil. He was a magnificent ruler who industrialized and educated Brazil, raised the quality of life for the whole nation in a nice long reign.
    But ultimately was overthrown by industrialists and other elites because he didn't reward them enough.
    His extreme popularity with the people wasn't enough, he lost the Keys.
    He probably could have regained the Crown through civil war but he was exhausted after a long, laborious reign.

    • @vaclavjebavy5118
      @vaclavjebavy5118 2 года назад +398

      He said he didn't want to spill Brazilian blood. It likely would have succeeded quickly.

    • @usetheexplosives
      @usetheexplosives 2 года назад +172

      All I hear in your comment is that they successfully ruled for a long time before they were deposed.
      I think it's that, and other examples, that water down what this video is teaching to an extent.
      You can rule, and you can make great benevolent change. It means you won't rule forever, but is that actually what you want?
      If you simply want to enact particular change, enact it, and retire.

    • @alzhanvoidsansado
      @alzhanvoidsansado 2 года назад +300

      @@usetheexplosives But when you leave, what's to stop the next from changing it back? You have to rule for long enough for your citizens to get used to the change, where its absence will be noticed enough to risk great protest/revolution. If you enact a change and leave before it settles, the next ruler won't have any trouble modifying it to fit his needs. And until then... well, you have to survive somehow right? Keep your keys happy.

    • @stansman5461
      @stansman5461 2 года назад +84

      @@usetheexplosives You're right that the rules for these are to stay in power, but remember a coup means the keys were promised more. And since the vault hasn't increased, the treasure which was being spent on the citizens is now going to go to the keys.
      Hence, even when you make positive change, it's going to suffer if you're overthrown by someone via a coup (since a dictator has less keys)

    • @josevitorag
      @josevitorag 2 года назад +5

      Sim mano, aí foi ladeira à baixo

  • @boyankovachev7982
    @boyankovachev7982 Год назад +39

    Thank you, CGP and [redacted] for all the help with the coup in [redacted]. It made everything very easy.
    One love ❤️

    • @thearchitect646
      @thearchitect646 Год назад

      oh yeah, that coop. I gave them like 10 bucks

  • @VoidExileYT
    @VoidExileYT Год назад +11

    well this was scarily enlightening... at the end of the day, democracies are amazing while dictatorships are terrible but everything in between are doomed to fail. Really puts things into a complicated perspective

  • @a2rhombus2
    @a2rhombus2 7 лет назад +7862

    Gotta love a good depressing video to destroy my faith in our political system first thing in the morning

    • @delpher32exe
      @delpher32exe 7 лет назад +220

      our you mean on this fucking planet?

    • @a2rhombus2
      @a2rhombus2 7 лет назад +338

      delpher32exe
      Our as a general umbrella term for the human race so yes

    • @Zazer99541
      @Zazer99541 7 лет назад +68

      There are exceptions to this like the 1945 labour government in britain which never got in off the backs of rich people but instead from the people.

    • @danielsjohnson
      @danielsjohnson 7 лет назад +60

      Alex A another exception is the state of Colorado legalized marijuana through referendum and legally bypassed the state congress that was against it at the time. Sometimes a lot of common folk getting together can make a difference ;)

    • @rafaelpun
      @rafaelpun 7 лет назад +204

      But legalizing marijuana increase the (tax) treasury that allows them to do projects and build stuff that makes key supporters happy.

  • @Centurion97
    @Centurion97 7 лет назад +1414

    HI BILLY MAYS HERE TO TELL YOU THAT WITH JUST THREE EASY STEPS, YOU CAN BE A DICTATOR TOO!

    • @somecuriosities
      @somecuriosities 7 лет назад +4

      rofwl :-D

    • @mrsmiley707
      @mrsmiley707 7 лет назад +3

      HistoryBuff97 hahaha

    • @tonytime8709
      @tonytime8709 7 лет назад +6

      This makes me...
      Happy: Beutiful Meme Bro.
      Sad: I miss Billy...

    • @mNag
      @mNag 7 лет назад

      This video would have been better if he was shouting at me the whole time instead of talking monotone.

    • @MoreAnonymous
      @MoreAnonymous 7 лет назад +2

      shutup and take my money

  • @90youngjulia
    @90youngjulia Год назад +3

    This is amazing. Some parts gave me chills? Thank you for explaining this concept so succinctly.

  • @Marjenk77
    @Marjenk77 Год назад +15

    The keys to power can be applied to pretty much everything. I watched this video 5yrs ago and ever since I saw it, I'm always looking for the HMFIC's keys. Thanks for the eye opener.

  • @basilisk5855
    @basilisk5855 4 года назад +1857

    There are only two constants I see here:
    Death and taxes

    • @UrWifiIsSlow
      @UrWifiIsSlow 4 года назад +35

      Monaco joined the chat

    • @nurlindafsihotang49
      @nurlindafsihotang49 4 года назад +6

      😂😂😂

    • @TheSkullConfernece
      @TheSkullConfernece 4 года назад +24

      Taxes are not constant. They're not a guarantee if we realize the illegitimacy of them and the opportunity of voluntary cooperation.

    • @goldengaruda8935
      @goldengaruda8935 4 года назад +19

      Taxes exist only so long as people, death as long as there is life

    • @Mernom
      @Mernom 4 года назад +50

      @@TheSkullConfernece voluntary cooperation... Among humans... So, never right?

  • @0subscribers984
    @0subscribers984 7 лет назад +940

    *Interveiwer:* So, how'd you start your county?
    *Me:* It was on my RUclips recommendations.

  • @Rfc1394
    @Rfc1394 Год назад +11

    I think it was Ambrose Bierce who said, "An absolute ruler is onw who rules as he pleases so long as he pleases the assasins."

  • @nikolaytsankov9066
    @nikolaytsankov9066 5 месяцев назад +11

    I sometimes think about how now there is a not insignificant number of young (early-to-mid 20s) local/state level elected politicians in minor positions of power, hoping to become presidents and prime ministers one day, that were directly inspired to enter politics in their teenage years by this video. With 19 million views, there must be quite a few of them, particularly young Americans.

  • @lred1383
    @lred1383 4 года назад +5396

    As a Russian, this was very educational. The "Democracy that relies on natural resources" model was scarily accurate in every aspect of it. What this means is that Russia is too rich to be rich, you know? Because there's so much oil, diamonds and metals here the government will never care about us as much as we would prefer it to. We'll always stay on the lowest living standards that a democracy can keep without breaking.

    • @8panthermodern2
      @8panthermodern2 4 года назад +260

      Are you referring to Russia as a democracy?

    • @lred1383
      @lred1383 4 года назад +880

      @@8panthermodern2 It is. It's not a flawless one, in fact it is pretty corrupt, but it is a democracy. Regional leaders are actually elected, and i suspect that there is actually a lot of support for the current ruling party among the people, considering they've pulled the country out of a horrible crisis back in the day.

    • @happyfacefries
      @happyfacefries 4 года назад +304

      Hate to break it to you, but you're under a dictatorship, not a democracy.

    • @happyfacefries
      @happyfacefries 4 года назад +117

      @i hate anime I guess you don't know what a dictatorship is

    • @harrisonbarrett2635
      @harrisonbarrett2635 4 года назад +48

      @i hate anime if you think that you can easily say that we all live under a democracy

  • @Chyrosran22
    @Chyrosran22 3 года назад +19197

    Still your best video to date.

    • @frantiseknovotny9315
      @frantiseknovotny9315 3 года назад +633

      Yes. After years of political science classes, and watching this for like the tenth time, I still find myself astonished with the clarity of the analysis.

    • @Lavi-Aemilia-Astori
      @Lavi-Aemilia-Astori 3 года назад +45

      Time to clean my alps switches

    • @ahoymateeez
      @ahoymateeez 3 года назад +66

      Pretty much shows how the world works.

    • @MrSirKirby
      @MrSirKirby 3 года назад +6

      Indeed!

    • @julolidine
      @julolidine 3 года назад +93

      I still come back to this, and has really altered my perception about the problems in government and how insurmountable some of them are.

  • @lifeisgood420365
    @lifeisgood420365 Год назад +15

    Just by putting little images of keys by these people, made me understand all of this a lot easier (great video!)

  • @jorgeloubetcasas
    @jorgeloubetcasas 2 года назад +4

    I honestly believe this is the best video in RUclips. I come and watch it every once in a while when I see something happening in the world.

  • @CoolieCoolster
    @CoolieCoolster 7 лет назад +1188

    If we follow these rules, will we be top chicken?

    • @saber1epee0
      @saber1epee0 7 лет назад +16

      +Victor Mapping +
      Top chicken 2016

    • @Zynkronise
      @Zynkronise 7 лет назад +26

      We're top chicken *put glasses on*

    • @Gamrin
      @Gamrin 7 лет назад +10

      But those would end up being Medium chickens. Right?

    • @SamCyanide
      @SamCyanide 7 лет назад +3

      vape

    • @pearlfountain
      @pearlfountain 7 лет назад +1

      topkek

  • @gmitchellfamily
    @gmitchellfamily 4 года назад +444

    Love how the full-out dictators have AK-47s but the "middling" dictator is stuck with the cheaper SKS.

    • @kennedytheretard975
      @kennedytheretard975 3 года назад +7

      Cyka blyat comrade full-out dictators had extra support from glorious union
      middling dictators could get the cheaper lower quality surplus from WWII
      *sorry im trying to be a trashy tankie or something*

    • @Cybernaut551
      @Cybernaut551 3 года назад +1

      Haha, the 'middling dictator' may be a cheapskate.

    • @kurtsell8376
      @kurtsell8376 3 года назад +4

      @@Cybernaut551 that's why he's a middling dictator

  • @shadowbonnie2763
    @shadowbonnie2763 5 месяцев назад +14

    I didn't see the thumbnail, so I thought this was a video about the requirements to make a measuring ruler.

  • @kiraschabram9745
    @kiraschabram9745 Год назад +9

    Absolutely brilliant video. I intend to share this with my students

  • @khaliqdavidson2867
    @khaliqdavidson2867 3 года назад +3650

    Rule 0 gives me chills. "Without power you can affect nothing"

    • @evannibbe9375
      @evannibbe9375 3 года назад +152

      It lead me on the rabbit hole to pursue magic.

    • @Deepak-cu1mr
      @Deepak-cu1mr 2 года назад +178

      Rule infinity.... With great power comes the great responsibility

    • @Cybernaut551
      @Cybernaut551 2 года назад +9

      @@Deepak-cu1mr Facts.

    • @minorcomet282
      @minorcomet282 2 года назад +89

      Rule 34: don't ask

    • @Georges_IV
      @Georges_IV 2 года назад +89

      @@Deepak-cu1mr with great power comes a great power bill

  • @alexia3552
    @alexia3552 2 года назад +731

    "Maybe, you'll be different" As the hat morphs to a dictator's hat.. message well sent

    • @williamfarley3794
      @williamfarley3794 Год назад +25

      I always get a little chill at that part

    • @jeremyjackson8862
      @jeremyjackson8862 Год назад +5

      And the cycle continues.

    • @georgeevans9044
      @georgeevans9044 Год назад +5

      One of my favorite moments in the video

    • @chee.rah.monurB
      @chee.rah.monurB Год назад

      @@jeremyjackson8862 Right,because every revolunionary says that to themselves. Remember when Lenin wanted to be better than those "capitalist pigs" but ended up creating the TROPE CODIFIER for dictatorships?

  • @nicholaslogan6840
    @nicholaslogan6840 Год назад +10

    Thank you so much for making this video. It served as a starting point for me a long time ago to seek to enrich my perspective by watching educational videos about government and history.

  • @OdeezyBaby18
    @OdeezyBaby18 2 года назад +11

    2:50 Blew my mind. Now it makes sense why nothing much ever gets done.

  • @kingofmilfgaard7604
    @kingofmilfgaard7604 3 года назад +1493

    "And Angels who build good works will always lose to Devils who don't"
    Damn bro..

    • @kolkoki
      @kolkoki 3 года назад +97

      Because there will always be an asshole who wants money for himself and not the greater good. Someone who value individual over society. Kinda like anti-masks "i dont care if i kill people by not wearing a mask, MY comfort is more important than THEIR lives ! "

    • @alfredorotondo
      @alfredorotondo 3 года назад +18

      @@kolkoki *pinochet noises*

    • @kolkoki
      @kolkoki 3 года назад +8

      @@alfredorotondo I am sorry as i do not know enough about him to understand what you are meaning

    • @graveyardshift6691
      @graveyardshift6691 3 года назад +27

      @@kolkoki As you are reading this comment, you are inhaling god only knows how many different viruses, bacteria, germs, infections, and god knows what else. Perhaps you are even inhaling Covid-19 right this very second.
      While most of these are fairly harmless and in certain cases even beneficial, your body is under attack 24/7. The only way for you to stop these attacks outright is to live in a completely sealed and scrubbed environment. The masks being forced on everyone at large to 'protect the citizens' don't even qualify as such.
      Biological sciences have proven that your immune system is very much like your muscles. If you fail to exercise them properly and also allow them adequate rest at times, they will fail you. The consequence of such failure of an immune system is your death.
      Living in a 'clean' environment is just as deadly as living in filth. If you live in filth, your immune system is overtaxed and cannot keep up. If you live in a 'clean' environment, your immune system will atrophy and when the time comes, it will fail you.
      Masks do nothing to help this process. At most they will help contain/prevent the spread depending on the state of the person on them. To a healthy person, they will contain nothing and they will prevent the immune system from learning how to fight an infection. Masks kill healthy populations. However the result is far different for those who are at-risk as it prevents a full on outbreak that a weakened immune system can't handle right away and contains those who ARE sick.
      Your best defense against disease is your own build in biological defenses. If that fails, medicines are designed to bolster or otherwise assist this process until your body can adapt. Those that fail die. That's life. You can't save everyone. We are well beyond the point where masks do anybody good and it's time to let biology take over. Help those who are at-risk but at this point, it's up to those murder death machines the White Blood Cells.

    • @TheRealColBosch
      @TheRealColBosch 3 года назад +12

      @@graveyardshift6691 I've got something you can breathe, asshole.

  • @dorkmax7073
    @dorkmax7073 3 года назад +786

    This is literally darker and more devious than even Machiavelli. In the Prince, Machiavelli talks about ruling with the lightest touch and avoiding bloodshed. This is straight up darker

    • @I_AM_HYDRAA
      @I_AM_HYDRAA 3 года назад +58

      Machiavelli advice is just commons sense

    • @I_AM_HYDRAA
      @I_AM_HYDRAA 3 года назад +17

      @@karlklaus2736 i am reading the prince and it says to rule a place it is better to be feared than loved which makes sense they are not a grandma the ruler needs to get things done

    • @mobeenkhan824
      @mobeenkhan824 3 года назад +27

      Karl Klaus
      Not everything is common sense in the Prince, the chapters on how to hold a state you have gained by luck is not common sense, the chapter on mercenaries and auxiliaries is not common sense. What to do in conquered territory is not common sense.

    • @mobeenkhan824
      @mobeenkhan824 3 года назад +7

      i_am_hydraa Not everything is common sense in the Prince, the chapters on how to hold a state you have gained by luck is not common sense, the chapter on mercenaries and auxiliaries is not common sense. What to do in conquered territory is not common sense.

    • @mobeenkhan824
      @mobeenkhan824 3 года назад +13

      Karl Klaus
      I suggest you also read his book, discourses on Livy. It is basically the Prince, but made towards a politician in a republic not a king.

  • @sorashirogami1729
    @sorashirogami1729 Год назад +31

    This inspired me to try and write a book where a man tries to do everything in the country alone. It's set in a magical world, which gives our MC enough powers to keep an iron grip on the nation, so he gets cocky, but soon he realises that it is impossible even for a near- omnipotent being.

  • @flaviospadavecchia5126
    @flaviospadavecchia5126 Год назад +16

    Just finished the book this video is based off of and I highly recommend it! Wish Grey would make more videos on foreign aid and other themes touched by the book :)

  • @xavmanisdabestest
    @xavmanisdabestest 7 лет назад +1527

    CPG Grey may be the most woke person on youtube

    • @xavieroliver1912
      @xavieroliver1912 7 лет назад +20

      Literally my most Favorited person on the internet

    • @7000_Skeletons
      @7000_Skeletons 7 лет назад +20

      He may be the most RUclips ever made.

    • @samueljones8100
      @samueljones8100 7 лет назад +29

      I mean have you seen the amount of Coffee he has.

    • @promaty
      @promaty 7 лет назад

      @xavier, you misspelled the world

    • @amandadube156
      @amandadube156 7 лет назад +13

      he mad woke, dawg.

  • @alrick3000
    @alrick3000 4 года назад +453

    Having read the book on which this is based, I must say that this video, in terms of clarity of information, far exceeds the actual text. The way the information is presented here is truly remarkable since it was able to extract the most meaningful ideas from the text and was able to clarify certain ambiguities in the book. Great job CGP Grey

    • @cr0n0slxiii54
      @cr0n0slxiii54 4 года назад +6

      Which book? 48 rules of power perhaps?

    • @sdriggers2
      @sdriggers2 4 года назад +30

      @@cr0n0slxiii54 Almost certainly the "Dictators Handbook" by Bueno de Mesquita et al. It's academic.

    • @cautarepvp2079
      @cautarepvp2079 4 года назад +3

      so what was the book?

    • @alrick3000
      @alrick3000 4 года назад +20

      sdriggers2 is correct. The Dictators Handbook by Bueno de Mesquita. An Amazon link to the book is in the video description.

  • @slothbelly5332
    @slothbelly5332 Год назад +6

    this video is 6 years old.
    i only saw it in recent years, and so many things have begun to make sense.