Can someone think of an instance where an autocratic leader surrounded and supported

[Atticus]

by sycophants who are themselves corrupt has been removed by nonviolent means?

[Tommy_Carcetti]

1. The Soviet Union?

Multiple Eastern Bloc countries in the late 80s and early 90s?

South Africa and apartheid?

Although those were matters of systemic collapse so I don’t think that really counts.

In Ukraine in 2014 the protests turned bloody at certain times but Yanukovych fled on his own choosing and power. Again does that count?

[Atticus]

3. While perhaps not open armed revolution, I think the changes in both

South Africa and the Ukraine were the result of many acts of violence against the ruling faction.

[DetlefK]

2. East Germany.

At one point the people had enough and staged neverending massive civil-rights protests until everything came to a halt. An extended visit by Gorbachev gave them cover, because the state knew they couldn't crack down on peaceful protesters while international media was there. So they waited until Gorbachev had left... But by then the protests had become so powerful that it had become impossible to cover them up.

In order to calm the masses, they planned to make some concessions, but they totally fucked up the press-conference and everything collapsed.

[Atticus]

4. Do you believe there is any chance of such a massive interruption of

"business as usual" here? We think getting.one fourth of one per cent of our population to gatherings DC for a day is impressive.