Autocracy

Definition

An autocracy is a system of government in which a single person (the autocrat) holds all power and authority over the state, often without any limitations or legal restraints. In this system, political power is not shared nor subjected to checks by other branches of government or the electorate.

Related terms

Authoritarianism:

A political system characterized by strong central power and limited political freedoms, where opposition is often suppressed.

Totalitarianism:

A more extreme form of centralized government than authoritarianism, where the state seeks to control every aspect of public and private life.

Democracy:

A form of government in which power is vested in the people, who rule either directly or through freely elected representatives, contrasting sharply with autocratic governance