Comment by buran77

> The idea authoritarianism reduces crime [...] is a fallacy. Crime still happens

There's a whole range between "reduces" and "eliminates", and introducing the "elimination" argument is a strawman.

Authoritarian regimes do cut down on crime committed by the oppressed masses. It's a side effect of the heavy handed control that allows those in power to stay in power. Severely punishing crime is one more means of exerting more power and control over that population, the leaders can't afford to let regular people get away with flaunting authority. But the upper echelons will always commit crimes or abuses especially against those they control because they can afford to get away with it.