Part I: In a given nation, there ought to be a greater separation of powers.

[originalpckelly]

A separation between the government, economy, popular culture, and religion, if it is not considered a part of popular culture.

I submit that many dictatorships throughout history sought to place these 3 or 4 branches of power in life under the control of a single person or small group of people.

North Korea, a nation that is currently considered by most of the developed world to be a dictatorship, is a perfect example of how this idea is easily applicable to life.

Kim Jong Il has control over the government because it is a dictatorship. It is a nation with a command economy and thus the government controls the economy. Popular culture is controlled by Il as well, there are numerous holidays and parades dedicated to Il. Finally, we note that he even has conjured up a spiritual narrative of his own birth, and that children in North Korea have been for decades told to thank their leader for their blessings (in the context of giving a religious thanks.)

This short and simple idea is just an extension of the various "estates" in a country to include all major power structures, only all the powers of government are made into a single branch, and the press considered part of popular culture.

I challenge you to find a nation where this doesn't apply and yet is considered a dictatorship. It's a practical thing, to be controlled arbitrarily authority/power must be centralized.