[bell-cot]

Reality: 's/Democracies thought that/Western techno-utopians believed, and feel-good politicians promised, that/'

I never got the sense that real grown-ups, who knew history, believed any such "the internet will topple" twaddle. Carefully-delivered truths (think Voice of America) can annoy and mildly undermine totalitarian regimes. If you want to do more - well, in WWII, British and American bombers dropped vastly more high explosives than information leaflets on the Axis powers.

[ethbr1]

Ultimately, authoritative regimes are supported by self-interest of key pillars of power (e.g. the military in Iran's case).

As long as an authoritative regime keeps these balanced against factions opposed to it, the regime can remain stable without popular support.

(Although doing so while running a functional and healthy economy is more difficult)