Silenced like lambs

JUST as bosses hate dealing with difficult employees, governments hate difficult citizens. Employers as a last resort can sack their recalcitrant staff but that’s not an option for governments, much as they may wish to strip away their detractors’ citizenship.

Generally speaking, governments in states with working democracies – meaning there are strong enough institutions like an independent judiciary and free press to check those in power – have to suffer the inconvenience and irritation of fierce critics and dissidents. But suffer they will, for the most part.