monarchy vs benevolent dictatorship - can we inform Russian sentiment?

[Zenaan Harkness]

A not insubstantial number of Russians are firmly inclined back
toward monarchy:

Ganging Up On "God's Oligarch"
http://russia-insider.com/en/christianity/ganging-gods-oligarch/6242
"the majority of traditional Russian Orthodox Christians are
 monarchists, and view it as the best form of government

 This so-called liberalism, tolerance, and freedom, these are just
 words, but behind them you can see the totalitarianism
"


And this Russian movement is gaining pace:

Restore Russian Monarchy? 'We're Ready to Discuss It' - Top Church
Official
http://russia-insider.com/en/christianity/restore-russian-monarchy-were-ready-discuss-it-top-church-official/ri20283


In the tech computing world we have become familiar with the concept
of the Benevolent Dictator For Life or BDFL.

The primary attributes which might inform the Russkies in this regard
could be:

 - BDFL-ship is achieved in general by achievement - the creation
   of something that many others find compelling and worthy of
   contributing to / participating in.

   In contrast, a monarch is typically by blood/ descendants, and the
   outcome of this has been seen to be the degredation arising from
   inbreeding to maintain power - Egypt's Tuten Khamoon comes to
   mind.

   Rome's model wasn't so much better either:
   http://listverse.com/2010/05/09/top-10-worst-roman-emperors/

   The main contrast in the world of monarchs is the Scottish kings
   who were beheaded if they did not perform, and elected to the
   dictatorship too in many (most?) cases - Jim Bell's AP may
   inform some modern branch of such a concept.


 - The cost to fork a programming project is in some ways relatively
   low, so if the BDFL (or sponsoring organisation) is seen as
   belligerent, the community can readily fork the project.

   Examples: X window system, OpenOffice -> LibreOffice.

   Monarchs on the other hand, especially when "sanctioned by God"
   (in the minds of the people), tend to have a rather strong hold on
   the power (much more so than software BDFLs), and surprisingly
   tend to cling to their power and to groom (or give birth to) their
   replacements.


The question is, if Russia actually heads in this direction, can a
new system of monarchy in Russia be modified in such a way as to
mitigate the historical tendendency for the people to be unable to
handle the situation when a despot arrives in the seat of autocratic
power?

It might be wise for those in Russia promoting and intending to
recreate a Russian autocratic monarchy, to consider the failings
humanity has witnessed throughout history, and to be informed by
these failings and by mitigating concepts.

- balance of powers
- radical transparency
- individual autonomy and sovereignty
- duty of care to our fellow humans
- no sanction for power except in benevolence


We (humans in general) are evidently at an interesting point in
modern history. Good luck :)