autocracies
One-ruler political systems
Autocracies is the plural of autocracy—a system of government in which one person holds absolute power, unchecked by laws or other institutions.
The term also describes nations governed this way: The region's autocracies have resisted democratic reforms.
Unlike democracies, autocracies concentrate authority rather than distributing it.
State controls everything absolutely
- despotismAbsolute one-person rule
- tyrannyOppressive, absolute governance
- absolutismUnrestricted governmental authority
- oligarchyRule by few
dictatorship · authoritarianism · monarchy · junta · regime · sultanate · emirate · monocracy
Oppressive, absolute governance
- oppressionUnjust exercise of power
- censorshipOfficial content restriction
- suppressionForcible prevention or concealment
- persecutionSystematic mistreatment of groups
coercion · intimidation · silencing · crackdown · purges · surveillance · secret police · political prisoners
Supreme independent authority
- dominanceSuperior influence over others
- centralizationUnifying control in one place
- commandAuthoritative instruction given
- authorityPower to enforce obedience
control · hegemony · dominion · absolute power · iron grip · consolidation · monopoly · supremacy
Abrupt seizure of power
- revolutionViolent governmental overthrow
- uprisingOrganized resistance to power
- dissidentsPolitical objectors
- oppositionActive resistance or dissent
rebellion · overthrow · regime change · sanctions · underground · samizdat · protest · defection
totalitarianism
State controls everything absolutely
- despotismAbsolute one-person rule
- tyrannyOppressive, absolute governance
- absolutismUnrestricted governmental authority
oligarchy · dictatorship · authoritarianism · monarchy · junta · regime · sultanate · emirate · monocracy · kleptocracy
tyranny
Oppressive, absolute governance
- oppressionUnjust exercise of power
- censorshipOfficial content restriction
- suppressionForcible prevention or concealment
persecution · coercion · intimidation · silencing · crackdown · purges · surveillance · secret police · political prisoners · martial law
sovereignty
Supreme independent authority
- dominanceSuperior influence over others
- centralizationUnifying control in one place
- commandAuthoritative instruction given
authority · control · hegemony · dominion · absolute power · iron grip · consolidation · monopoly · supremacy · personality cult
coup
Abrupt seizure of power
- revolutionViolent governmental overthrow
- uprisingOrganized resistance to power
- dissidentsPolitical objectors
opposition · rebellion · overthrow · regime change · sanctions · underground · samizdat · protest · defection · asylum seekers
autocraciesdemocracies
Governments elected by people
republics · parliamentary systems · representative governments · federations · direct democracies
democracy, autocratic, aristocracy, bureaucracy, autocracy, autocrat, plutocracy, theocracy, meritocracy