Charles Kirtley

    “IT’S good to be king” is a famous line from the Mel Brooks movie “History of the World.” Clearly Brooks understood much about the minds of monarchs, despots and dictators. As recent history has shown, none want to give up their power. Most are willing to fight for it. Some are willing to choose death over losing it.

    There have been revolutions in Tunisia and Egypt. The ruling despots put up a fight but ultimately saw the writing on the wall and stepped down.

    The Syrian people are currently revolting against Bashar al-Assad’s rule. It seems the people of Syria are fed up with his regime and are joining the revolution. There are reports of mass demonstrations and rumors that members of the army are defecting. The West is not helping the rebels like it did in Libya, so whether or not Assad can cling to power is an unanswered question. Either way, he seems determined not to go down without a fight.

    As the Arab Spring unfolds, the region has also seen many small demonstrations that have had little impact. If the rebellions spread, it will be interesting to see whether the despots decide to fight to hold on to their kingdoms or flee to a comfortable life with their ill-gotten billions.

    The rebellion in Libya was part of the Arab Spring. Moammar Gadhafi refused to give up power. Estimates of his personal wealth range from around US$74 billion to US$200 billion. He had ample opportunity to leave the country as the rebels began to advance. Instead he retreated through small desert cities until it was no longer possible to escape the country. He was captured and killed by one of his subjects. If this dictator had an I.Q. higher than that of a camel he could be living the good life in Paris.

    Who will be the king to face the wrath of the people any of the nascent rebellions in the Arab world may ignite?

    What were the hapless despots in Libya and Iraq thinking? Had they convinced themselves that the people who turned out for their government-planned rallies actually loved them? Did they surround themselves with sycophants who told them only what they wanted to hear instead of the truth? Did they think their people would rally around them in the face of rebellion? History shows them to be wrong. From Charles I of England to Louis XVI of France, the past is littered with the bodies of despots who died clinging to power. If you are willing to sacrifice your life to keep the job, then you truly are a good king.

    (The author is a retired businessman who lives in Shenzhen.)