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Originally Posted by Saurreg
Not if he was bent on a self-destructive streak?
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In most societies subject to autocratic or strict heirarchical rule, there will be few prepared to speak out or act against the dicatates of the ruler. Generally, the majority will "fall into line" either out of fear or because they have lack understanding that their ruler is acting "wrongly".
Whether the submission through fear aspect would apply to Dwarves is a moot point, given their famed resistance to enslavement. Then again, Kuru paints a picture of a culture which adheres strongly to the demands of its heirarchical structure.
Tolkien does, however, show us that, within Middle-earth, people do not necessarily need to be evil in nature in order to serve evil. We see this, in particular, I think, with Sam's reflection on the dead Haradrim soldier and in Saruman's use of the Dunlendings' ancient grievance against Rohan in order to press them into service.
It is possible, for example, that those Dwarves who fought on Sauron's side in the Last Alliance did so believing that their cause was the "right" one, or because they were in thrall to their corrupted leaders, but that their loyalty to their own kind surmounted even this when it came to incidents such as Thror's death at the hands of Azog.