ABSTRACT
It is generally believed that political systems need popular support to remain in existence; yet many do remain in existence without being ostensibly accepted by the population. The phenomenon of coercion is widespread, and the concept of dictatorship is not among those which have little or no practical application. This apparent contradiction between a recognized ‘need’ for support and the reality of coercive regimes is one of the major questions which political science and comparative government need to analyze.
