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
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.
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 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.