askchapo

though seriously, you need to hit the funding sources. In this century, it's all about the Benjamins. American soft power ain't what it used to be with their old VoA crap. These color revolutions now get organized off of people being paid extremely lucratively in USD compared to your weak local currency. You can't allow people's full time job to be overthrowing you. Bust up their NGOs and drown them in lawfare. There's a reason all these post-Soviet States are throwing temper tantrums over "Putinist foreign agent laws": they work. In a capitalist economy the people are always going to feel aggrieved and American agents will exploit that and twist it to liberal ends, "anti corruption" movements are the classic slogan. What they don't tell you is that the plan is to just privatize and outsource the corruption, not eradicate it.

Furthermore, give yourself output legitimacy by increasing the standard of living among the population however you can, that's part of the deal of being long time government leader. Conveniently, socialist policies are a sustainable way to accomplish that, though you will have to subdue your domestic bourgeoisie first which is easier said than done under imperialist pressure. Cutting a deal with them may be easier but dangerous long term.

just don't borrow from the IMF. You and your minions can be corrupt but not lavishly so Make examples of those who overstep and abuse their power, and pay your internal security well.