They're not prioritizing authoritarian oppressive regimes, they're prioritizing countries that can put on a massive spectacle. And most countries have to listen to the concerns of their citizens who aren't cool with not eating or giving up drivable streets or whatever in order to build a massive new stadium that will be used for a few weeks.

But if there's countries where the populace can't complain and leadership doesn't care about the well being of people, it makes it a lot easier for them to provide what the IOC wants