Ugh...and here we see a case where an individual has educated themselves beyond their own capacity, and reached a place where basic logic and understanding of the human nature escapes them.

as a side note, I've read every single one of your replies. They all reek of above mentioned phenomenon, and include multiple logical fallacies to boot!

How do you propose these "dictators" attained a mass following in the first place?

Are you trying to tell me you don't understand the basic concept behind manipulation through fear? Every government does it. Are you really saying that it isn't a reasonable conclusion that dictators have attained a mass following by pointing a gun at them?

If you doubt the power of what this suggests, what do you think would happen if you grabbed an automatic machine gun, entered let's say...a place of worship, and then pointed the gun at the 100ish in attendance and said "unless you all follow my orders, I'll start firing"

spoiler alert: they'll follow all of your orders to a T

Most of at least the "first generation" leaders of communist nations (Lenin, Mao, Kim Il Sung, Ho Chi Minh, Tito, Castro, etc.) themselves participated directly in the revolutionary movement, often at great personal sacrifice and risk for years at a time. If they were truly motivated only by self-interest blah blah blah

First of all, ALL founding leaders have done this. I cannot at this time think of even one exception of a country where it's political formations were not of this origin. quit trying to romanticize communism as if it's the only political ideology that is great enough to do this.

Secondly...I'm not joking at all when I say that until you grasp a greater understand of human psychology, I cannot even debate this further with you. your argument is literally lacking the knowledge and intelligence for me to debate against it.

but you don't see this, do you? You also don't see that most intellectuals (all nations included) do not share your political views. you can't see it. this should be a huge red flag for you, but it won't be. it never can be, just in the way that a sociopath can never truthfully understand at it's core, the reasoning why they are a sociopath.