Authoritarianism

Definition

Authoritarianism is a political system in which power is concentrated in the hands of a leader or a small elite that is not constitutionally responsible to the public. The government restricts individual freedoms and requires complete subservience to the state.

Related terms

Totalitarianism: A political system where the state recognizes no limits to its authority and strives to regulate every aspect of public and private life wherever feasible.

Democracy: A form of government in which power is vested in the hands of the people, either directly or through elected representatives.

Civil Liberties: The state of being subject only to laws established for the good of the community, especially with regard to freedom of action and speech