Scans_Daily

Yes, there are two basic types of rule of Doom in Latveria, which vary from writer to writer and era to era.

The above, where everyone lives in fear of him because he is a despotic ruler with no actual interest in those he rules.

And the other, later, stories where he uses his genius to make Latveria a place where there is always food, the finest healthcare (at no charge), an average income greater than anywhere else on earth, and everyone lives in complete confidence in their continued safety thanks to a national weapons system that makes NATO look like the Girl Guides.

He's STILL an absolute despotic ruler, but whether through political savvy or genuine concern, he wants his sheep to be happy and to love him mindlessly for that, especially as that tends to damp down rebellions and uprisings as they can't get popular support.

"It is better to be 'loved', than 'feared'" as Macchiavelli put it.

"It is better to be 'permanent' than either" as Lord Vetinari appended.