[deleted]

Essentially, the corrupt leaders treat the people who enforce state power well, from the military and police commanders on down to the rank and file. This keeps them loyal in a direct sense and also makes them less sympathetic towards the people who are revolting.

This doesn't always work. Oppressive regimes get overthrown all the time. Importantly, this usually happens because the people who enforce the power either decide to stop, letting the revolutionaries walk into the palace, so to speak, or to seize power for themselves in a coup d'etat.

So the enforcers are incentivized to listen, not due to some sort of knighty sworn oath.

Doesn't that mean once a regime runs out of money in the midst of a revolution there maybe trouble?

"Hey guys your paycheck next month is on hold, please continue shooting girls on balcony though"

[removed]

Running out of money to pay the army or police is a good way to kick off a coup or revolution. It's fairly rare for this to happen though, since most regimes know who they rely on, so any money they do have will go to them. (Though there can be conflicts - which branch of the military should get the most money? Who's more important, the military or the police? The main bulk of the army or the elite units?)

Please read this entire message

Your submission has been removed for the following reason(s):

Whole topic overviews are not allowed on ELI5. This subreddit is meant for explanations of specific concepts, not general introductions to broad topics.

If you would like this removal reviewed, please read the detailed rules first. If you believe this submission was removed erroneously, please use this form and we will review your submission.