Police state

Definition

A police state is a government regime that exercises coercive power and control through the pervasive presence of police and security forces, often at the expense of civil liberties and personal freedoms. In such states, the government may use surveillance, policing, and legislation to suppress political dissent and control the population.

Related terms

Authoritarianism:

A political system in which a single entity or a small group of individuals possesses significant power over the state without much input from citizens.

Civil Liberties:

The fundamental rights and freedoms guaranteed to individuals as protection from any arbitrary actions or other interference by the government.

Surveillance State: A government that extensively monitors the activities of its citizens through various forms of surveillance technology