“The treatment of opposition was the most important factor in the maintenance of power.” Discuss with reference to two authoritarian states, each from a different region.

The question requires that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the statement that the treatment of opposition was the most important factor in the maintenance of power in two states. The two authoritarian states must be from different regions. Candidates may refer to the importance of eliminating opposition to avoid the rise of political rivals or to avoid controversy over domestic and international policies, for example Mao's Cultural Revolution or Stalin's Purges. Candidates may refer to the use of propaganda to turn the opposition into an enemy of the nation and reinforce the power of the government, for example in Hitler’s propaganda against the KPD (German Communist Party). They may also refer to the importance of weakening sections of the military to avoid a coup, for example, in Sukarno’s Indonesia. There may be discussion of the nature of and threat posed by opposition. Other relevant factors may be discussed, such as economic and social factors or the role of leadership, but with a focus on the issue in the question. Candidates’ opinions or conclusions will be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence.

The question required that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the statement that the treatment of opposition was the most important factor in the maintenance of power in two states, each chosen from a different region. A very popular question, most responses demonstrated an ability to consider different methods to deal with opposition, notably in Nazi Germany and Maoist China. Most responses described methods such as prison camps and secret police used as deterrents as well as propaganda used to prevent the growth of opposition. Examples of opposition groups were often included although it was rarely mentioned that targeted minorities, for example, were more victims than opponents. Responses tended to be rather descriptive, however, with only limited attention paid to "the most important factor" and "maintenance of power". In some responses, the phrase 'use of force was used interchangeably with 'treatment of opposition" without exploring the nuances between the two.