I know that each of them are mainly stage Blue countries. However, why do these countries need strong autocrats if they are not poor or weak nations at all? They are after all the two most powerful countries in the world after the USA. Russia has the second most powerful military in the world and China has the third most powerful military in the world. Russia apparently has the 11th largest economy in the world and is ranked 6th in the world for GDP (PPP). China has the 2nd largest economy in the world and is ranked 1st in the world for GDP (PPP). Also, these countries have had some of the most brilliant intellectuals in history. According to wikipedia, Russia has actually been ranked as "very high" in the Human Development Index.  So, why on earth are these countries still ruled by dictators? Why the hell is China still one of the most authoritarian countries in the world? Could it be that Russia and China have been lying about how successful their countries and that the living conditions of the vast majority of people in China and the vast majority of people in Russia are really not anywhere near as good as their respective leaders say they are? Could it also be possible that both Putin and Jinping have been lying about how powerful each of their militaries are?