Sir: In The Politics, Aristotle (384 BC to 322 BC) catalogues ancient tactics familiar to modern day dictators (Trump, Modi, Lenin, Hitler, Shah of Iran et. al.). The focal point of such tactics is to stifle popular spirit (of revolution) and make people distrustful of one another. Persons posing political threats are eliminated (renditions) or marginalized. Isolation deters dissidents from creating an underground political movement. Spies and secret police (CIA, FBI, RAW) are used to collect information and create anxiety. People living from hand to mouth, sweating to earn bread, working hard in poverty have little time and attention for dissent (in Modi’s India).War mongering provides a diversion with `the object of keeping the subjects constantly occupied and continually in need of a (macho) leader (like Modi). I have quoted from page 145 of The Politics. Machiavelli (1469-1527), in his book The Prince (1532) advised a ruler should be a master of deception. He should seem to act morally when committing immoral acts, should constantly appear honest and upright, even while practicing ‘how not to be good’. He should not keep promises that are not in his best interest (Trump), disguise his intentions (Iran-Israel affair), inspire fear rather than love (FATF), cultivate appearance of generosity, keeping one’s own property (Avenfield and Banigala) and giving away that of others (taxes and donations). He should punish opponents quickly (drone strikes) but dole out benefits (aid to Pakistan) little by little so as to remind recipient whence all good things come. Neither Aristotle nor Machiavelli invented any new ruthless or immoral technique for rulers. They just summed up actual methods used by autocratic rulers to maintain political power. Look around. Even today, their methodology is tool-kit for practitioners like Modi, Trump and their ilk. DEEBA JAVED MALIK Rawalpindi Published in Daily Times, February 22nd 2018.