[FascistDictator]

Youd be wrong Adrien. That civil war started after the Spanish Government went through too many Prime Ministers ina short time. The Military decided to stop supporting the nonsense, and a group of 4 higher ranking Generals (Not Franco because he was headmaster of a Military Academy at the time) decided to take power into there own hands. After Generals won the Civil War they asked General Franco to be the head of State because the former king (King Alphonso XIII) found favor in him when Franco served in Colonial Morocco.

[Adrien]

Let me do not agree with this.

What was wrong in the eyes of the army and the supporters, more than its relative instability -it was exactly the same thing in France at the same time-, is that the Spanish Republic ended leftists, with powerful Socialist/Communist parties, and powerful and armed trade unions.

The bourgeoisie was terrorised, and with the reactionaries (monarchists, traditionalists) they called the Army to put an end to it. As simple as that.

So no, I won't buy that the Army made the coup to bring happiness and stability to the country; they did it to save the interests of the bourgeoisie and their friends.

[Jesse]

I'm wary of a dictator, trusting individuals isn't a very good idea. I'd prefer a committee to rule with absolute power, as the number would rule out the existance of the ego getting in the way of proper leadership. I'd suppose one of the Roman Senates, when the ruled in the absence of an Emperor.

[FascistDictator]

Wrong again Adrien. Parliament and the people couldnt find the right prime Minister. The Spanish rep. went through at least 5 in a minimal time period, thats when the republic lost the support of the Spanish military. A number of officials organized a coup and ousted the despised PM, the High Ranking Generals gave Power to Franco. (Heres the part where Franco calms the nation) WWII comes about Hitler asks Franco to join the axis, Franco says no, the point is a Fascist Dictator chose to remain neutral during a war where he could have gained numerous amounts of territory, but he didnt instead he wanted to restore Spain to its greatness. And focused on building its culture and economy whether than military and land area.

[Adrien]

I guess we will not agree on this one.

I will still condemn the decision of the army to take care of the problem by itself, and then putting on the virtual throne of Spain some kind of terribly reactionnary dictator for more than 30 years.

The Republic could have saved itself (hey, you'll never know now) and would have repaired Spain with efficiency too.

[Jesse]

One would wonder, and this is dreadful free-association, if the Republicans had won the civil war - would Hitler have found it necessary to invade Spain? Makes ya think...

[FascistDictator]

So Adrien do we agree to disagree about the Spanish civil war?

[CasX]

I think one great dictator many forget (except maybe Gen Talonius) is Cincinnatus. For those who don't know him, he was called on by his people to save the Roman army and Rome itself. He stopped his work as a farmer and basically saved the Army quite quickly (don't remember much, I think he surrounded the enemy). Instead of serving out the whole six-month term, he resigned and went back to farming. Now that's a spotless record, and I suppose that supports dictatorship.

Cincinnatus, that dude sure was cool. Unfortunate that the Romans ever after used him and his exploits for propaganda purposes.

[Jesse]

They are an example worthy of following, why not propagandize his selfless actions? He is an ideal Citizen, in my opinion.

[CasX]

In the interests of the ruling classes, yes, why not propagandise his actions?
In the interests of the peasants and workers where he came from, the propaganda would do nothing other than increase the hold of the ruling stratum over the people.

[Jesse]

I doubt you've read my writings - for me, the dissolution of the ruling class is a goal. The creation of a viable, democratic and responsible ruling class, comprised of all Citizens, is MY goal.

Therefore, all those who aspire to enter this caste, to follow the example of Cinnicatius (spl.) would ameliorate their chances.

I recommend you read "On Democracy", posted in this very forum.