this post was submitted on 31 Aug 2026
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[–] Nurgus@lemmy.world 40 points 2 days ago (12 children)

Unpopular opinion: We should offer all dictators and their friends a safe retirement package.

Cornered dictators are dangerous. They will always keep escalating because the alternative isn't just their neck on the block, it's all of their friends and family too.

[–] Randelung@lemmy.world 7 points 2 days ago

That's exactly why total annihilation of a populace is always a bad idea. Putin sucks, but the world must be ready to integrate the Russian population after everything's done or we'll be back where we started in a few years. Germany taught that lesson, but look at all the historians crying in the corner.

[–] heartSagan5@lemmy.zip 8 points 2 days ago

Wait, prison isn't a retirement package (of sorts)?

[–] MrNesser@lemmy.world 11 points 2 days ago (1 children)

tried that with Napoleon - didnt stick

[–] Smoogs@lemmy.world 2 points 2 days ago (2 children)

he was exiled. not exactly chopped.

[–] Furbag@pawb.social 17 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Yes but that was supposed to be the magnanimous and merciful "safe retirement package" as an alternative to certain death at the hands of an executioner. Exile wasn't a death sentence. Life definitely wouldn't have been easy, but he had servants who joined him in exile to help keep him alive and happy.

Instead, he found a way back to France and the first army that arrived to intercept him immediately put themselves under his command again. That's the danger of allowing warmongering dictators to have their cushy exit strategy - they may not see it as a way out of ultimate punishment, but as a reset button.

[–] ThrowawayPermanente@sh.itjust.works 8 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I'm less worried about that in this case. Napoleon was one of the greatest generals in human history, he was inspiring. Putin has been failing to conquer the poorest country in Europe for over four years.

[–] Furbag@pawb.social 7 points 2 days ago

With the frankly shocking number of Americans who espouse their unwavering support for Trump, no matter what he says or does, I have very little faith in humanity's collective ability to judge leaders objectively.

[–] Krumm@lemmy.world -5 points 2 days ago

Holy whoosh batman.

Gotta chat with air traffic controllers for how much airspace there is between you and this comment chain.

I've been saying this for years. Perceived justice/punishment is not worth the lives of thousands of innocents.

[–] abc@suppo.fi 8 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I don't think most of them would do it if they had to give up their power and wealth.

[–] Nurgus@lemmy.world 5 points 2 days ago (1 children)

It's not for when things are going well. It's for when their backs are against the wall. They are very heavily incentivtized to fight to the last no matter the cost.

[–] braxy29@lemmy.world 7 points 2 days ago (2 children)

this assumes rational motivation and decision-making.

[–] Nurgus@lemmy.world 2 points 2 days ago

It's always rational at a personal level. Everyone thinks they're doing the right thing for some combination of themselves, their friends and their allies.

It assumes a self preservation instinct. There's plenty enough examples of escaping dictators that I think it's a fair assumption

[–] skaffi@infosec.pub 7 points 2 days ago

I absolutely agree. What good is retribution, in the face of all the untold future injustices and suffering that could be prevented by allowing dictators and their ilk to simply... stop being dictators?

At the end of the day, "just desserts" really aren't all that they're cracked up to be. Tasty as they may be, they are just desserts. Have a strudel or a pudding instead.

[–] Smaile@lemmy.ca 6 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)

Putin had that posibiblty by not doing what he did, giving this option to them means they have no reason to not try this shit, I disagree firmly with this idea

[–] volvoxvsmarla@sopuli.xyz 6 points 2 days ago

Hey come on we all went a bit crazy and looked for a new hobby during covid /s

[–] AmphoePai@lemmy.world 6 points 2 days ago

Agree. We all hate Putin, but he is the only person with the power to stop the war.

[–] OrteilGenou@lemmy.world 1 points 2 days ago

I appreciate the sentiment.

I disagree.

They have never hesitated to chop necks on blocks, why shouldn't they be Romanoved out of the gene pool?

[–] anewfox@lemmy.zip 1 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

how about a free prescription for lake city quiet pills with unlimited refills?

[–] DMCMNFIBFFF@lemmy.world 1 points 2 days ago (1 children)

We didn't do such for Hitler and Mussolini.

Besides, Putin can take refuge in China or North Korea, maybe even Belarus, Cuba, or Nicaragua.

[–] ms_lane@lemmy.world 0 points 1 day ago

We didn't do such for Hitler

Not so sure about that...

Mussolini, sure. Hitler may have died an old man in Argentina.

[–] ThrowawayPermanente@sh.itjust.works 1 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I don't know man, this sounds good at first but think of how many thousands of lives would be saved if we let a handful of evil people go unpunished.

[–] abc@suppo.fi 4 points 2 days ago

The most probable "punishment" that Putin is going to get at this rate is dying while sleeping without any pain.