Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos
authoritarianism
References & Edit History Related Topics
Images
Augusto Pinochet in gray military uniform and cap, saluting, with gold braid. Pol Pot, 1980 Mobutu Sese Seko Vladimir Putin
Feedback
Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login).
Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

External Websites
Britannica Websites
Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.
Augusto Pinochet in gray military uniform and cap, saluting, with gold braid.
Augusto Pinochet Chilean Pres. Augusto Pinochet, 1970s. On September 11, 1973, his military coup signaled the start of 17 years of dictatorship, during which time thousands of people disappeared or were killed.

authoritarianism

politics
Written by
Natasha Lindstaedt
Faculty Dean of Education, Social Sciences; Professor of Government, University of Essex. Author of Democratic Decay and Authoritarian Resurgence and others.
Natasha Lindstaedt
Fact-checked by
Britannica Editors
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
Britannica Editors
Last updated
•History

authoritarianism, in politics and government, the blind submission to authority and the repression of individual freedom of thought and action. Authoritarian regimes are systems of government that have no established mechanism for the transfer of executive power and do not afford their citizens civil liberties or political rights. Power is concentrated in the hands of a single leader or a small elite, whose decisions are taken without regard for the will of the people. The term authoritarianism...

Discover the world with Britannica

Subscribe to Continue Reading

Free Trial | No Ads | Exclusive Content
Explore Subscriptions
DNA
Right
Mobile