Even tinpot bureaucracies, such as the Videogram Regulatory Board, are run by ex-top brass.

CNN: Olive-Drab Bureaucrats

Already, the broad population is profoundly embittered with the corrupt tinpot despotism.

ECONOMIST: Banyan

The United States expends its diplomatic energies in negotiations over the regime's tinpot nuclear and missile programme, with little to show for the effort.

ECONOMIST: North Korea��s gulag

And although there were some who denounced him as a "tinpot dictator", General Musharraf's stock overseas has soared since the 11 September attacks on America.

BBC: Q&A: Pakistan referendum

Better to be a tinpot democracy than a tinpot dictatorship.

ECONOMIST: Andres Rodriguez

As they watch the punishment being meted out to Serbia, many a tinpot dictator will be wondering whether the secret acquisition of ballistic missiles, tipped with chemicals, germs or even nuclear weapons, would not be the best way to avoid a similar fate.

ECONOMIST: Defining NATO’s aims | The