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
An authoritarian regime refers to an oppressive form of government where political power rests in one leader or group, who exercise authority without meaningful checks or balances.
Related terms
Totalitarianism: This term describes an extreme form of authoritarianism where the government seeks to control every aspect of public and private life.
Dictatorship: In a dictatorship, power is concentrated in the hands of one individual who rules with absolute authority.