authoritarianism
A form of rule in which power is centrally concentrated in one person, a small group of people, or one political party. It sees the rejection of political plurality and suppression of dissent and many freedoms.
Authoritarianism can be autocratic, though not all autocrats are authoritarians, or it can be oligarchic. It may be under the rule of a political party or under the rule of a military.
Key features of authoritarianism are:
- Lack of free and fair elections, although elections may take place
- A lack of a free press, including jailing of journalists
- Jailing or killing of dissidents
- Manipulation of information
- Control by the central authority and incorporation into the central authority of all levels and areas of government
- Oppression of specific groups or people.
Also see oligarchy.
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