Relinquishing power is rarely easy and the longer a ruler has been in office, the more difficult it becomes.
Democracy allows for changes of government at regular electoral intervals, but autocracies contain no such replacement mechanisms. Indonesia is witness to the effect this can have, particularly when it is accompanied by economic turmoil.
After three decades in authority over the world's fourth most populous nation, President Suharto has shown himself to be in no mood to step down. When he was re-elected to the presidency for the seventh time this spring, he clearly intended to serve out his five-year term. One member of his family even spoke of the need to stop him standing for another period in office. Despite his elevation of B. J. Habibie to the vice-presidency, the succession remains as cloudy as ever; and most rulers in Suharto's position prefer to keep it that way to avoid the emergence of a viable alternative.
The prospect of an extension of the President's rule with no end in sight appears to be one motivating force in the demonstrations which have been met with tear gas and bullets this week.
Since the current regime has held out no prospect of change, those who want the country to move forward politically feel the only recourse they have is to take to the streets. So far, despite one abortive attempt at talks with student leaders, the security forces know only one way to respond - with violence.
The economic backdrop of the past nine months gives the protests a deeper dimension.
Threatening When the International Monetary Fund stood firm on the main elements of its rescue package, social tension was inevitable. The price rises which followed the cutting of subsidies have hit ordinary Indonesians. The reaction, including outbreaks of looting and anti-Chinese violence, are now threatening the country's grassroots.