Meaning: The quote "Dictatorships start wars because they need external enemies to exert internal control over their own people" by Richard Perle, a public servant, encapsulates a profound insight into the nature of authoritarian regimes and their propensity for engaging in conflict. This quote suggests that dictatorships often fabricate or provoke external threats in order to unite their population under a common enemy and deflect attention from internal issues. By doing so, they can consolidate power and suppress dissent, effectively using the specter of war to maintain control.

This quote reflects a common understanding of the dynamics of authoritarian rule, particularly in relation to foreign policy and the use of external conflict for internal manipulation. Throughout history, numerous examples can be found where dictators and autocrats have employed this strategy to bolster their grip on power. Adolf Hitler's regime in Nazi Germany, for instance, utilized propaganda and aggressive foreign policy to rally the German population around the idea of a national struggle against perceived external enemies, thus consolidating support for the regime and stifling opposition.

In the context of contemporary geopolitics, the quote also resonates with the behavior of certain authoritarian leaders who have pursued aggressive foreign policies and sought to cultivate external threats as a means of maintaining their hold on power. The regimes of leaders such as Kim Jong-un in North Korea and Vladimir Putin in Russia have been accused of using external conflicts and tensions to bolster their domestic authority and control.

Furthermore, the quote alludes to the concept of the "rally around the flag" effect, where populations tend to unify in the face of a perceived external threat. By creating or magnifying such threats, dictatorships can divert attention from internal problems, such as economic hardship, political repression, or social unrest, and present themselves as the defenders of the nation against external aggression. This not only serves to quell internal dissent but also allows these regimes to justify increased militarization and the prioritization of national security over individual rights and freedoms.

In addition, the quote underscores the Machiavellian nature of authoritarian rule, highlighting the manipulation and exploitation of geopolitical tensions for internal political gain. It suggests that dictators are willing to sacrifice the lives and well-being of their citizens by engaging in war or perpetuating the threat of war in order to maintain their own power and control. This cynical approach to governance prioritizes the perpetuation of the regime over the welfare of the populace, perpetuating a cycle of fear, conflict, and oppression.

In conclusion, Richard Perle's quote offers a thought-provoking perspective on the relationship between dictatorship, external conflict, and internal control. It sheds light on the ways in which authoritarian regimes use the specter of war and external enemies to consolidate power, suppress dissent, and maintain control over their own people. By examining historical and contemporary examples, we can see how this strategy has been employed to manipulate and subjugate populations, underscoring the enduring relevance of Perle's insight in understanding the behavior of dictatorships.