Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
A form of government where power is concentrated in the hands of a single leader or a small group, and citizens have limited political freedoms and rights.
Related terms
Totalitarianism: A type of authoritarian regime where the government controls every aspect of public and private life.
Dictatorship: An authoritarian government led by a single ruler who has absolute power and often comes into power through force or military coup.
Autocracy: A system of government where one person holds unlimited power and authority.