Proof the Trump effect is in full effect: Friend of a former student tells historian to STFU (me)

[erronis]

44. Aren't all authoritarians supported by intelligence agencies?

In a real democracy, transparency of reasons, transparency of actions are paramount.

In an authoritarian regime, you can do what you want, close the media channels, disappear or otherwise dispose of irritating voices. Transparency is like a black plastic bag - used to hide the abhorences.

In a quasi-democratic regime (the US and many of the western countries), you can more subtly dispose of irritants. You can use pressure (usually $s but sometimes xxx and more extreme tactics) to lean on possible factual outlets. In such a regime, transparency is only another phrase similar to: a chicken in every pot, all men are created equal, time for change, make amerika great again.