The single most obvious requirement for the continuation of a free society is a limitation on the ability of any individual to lead the society. No person should be permitted to lead a nation or government more than eight (8) years, which is the two term limit on the President of the USA. Six (6) years might be better. No supporter of freedom should tolerate any deviation from such term limits.

No one who supports democratic ideals should encourage or support any individual who seeks to remain in power indefinitely. Castro in Cuba is perhaps the best living example. Musharraf in Pakistan is a good current example. Whatever his other positives and negatives, for Musharraf, it is all about him. He expressly complains about people trying to undermine him - not undermine democracy or the government in a general sense, but him. Sure, he otherwise can mouth the words, the platitudes, but at the end of the day, he cannot see that his personal interests are not the same as the people's interests. Vladimir Putin is another current example. Without question, the people of Russia, as a whole, would be far better served by turnover in the top job. Who questions that principle? To oppose Putin remaining in power is not to oppose him personally, it is to state for democratic principles and ideals. A final example from current events is Hugo Chavez. He wants total, absolute power. To support him in his efforts is to support authoritarianism and dictatorship.