I thought this was going to be an article with some historical examples of leaders bad behavior against the general populace that actually helps them keep power and the effects on it. Instead is more of a tips and tricks on how to accrue long lasting power.

Also I disagree about "democratic leaders have to dole out public goods to maintain their power". At least I think public goods here is too flimsy of a phrase to use here. It is alluded later that one of the problems of a leader is bankruptcy. This implies most favours to the 'winning coalition' and doling up public good being just monetary compensation. I don't think is a good way to phrase it. Bread and circus goes more to the point, the former seems an anesthetic, harder to understand way to say drop some money to keep the masses happy. And I don't consider that a 'public good'.