Authoritarian States

Definition

Authoritarian states are political systems where power is concentrated in the hands of a single leader or a small group, who exercise significant control over society and limit individual freedoms.

Analogy

Imagine being part of a school with strict rules and a principal who makes all the decisions without consulting students. The principal has complete authority, and students have limited freedom to express their opinions or challenge the rules.

Related terms

Totalitarianism: Totalitarianism refers to an extreme form of authoritarianism where the government seeks to control every aspect of public and private life.

Censorship: Censorship is the suppression or restriction of information, ideas, or artistic expression by an authoritarian government.

Single-party Rule: Single-party rule occurs when only one political party is legally allowed to hold power, effectively eliminating competition and opposition parties.