nondemocratic
Ruled by few
Nondemocratic describes political systems or practices that lack democratic elements—free elections, popular participation, or accountability to citizens.
The term covers authoritarian regimes, oligarchies, and dictatorships: The country's nondemocratic government suppressed dissent.
It can also describe decision-making within organizations: The committee operated in a nondemocratic fashion, with leadership making all choices unilaterally.
Rule by one
- dictatorshipUnchecked single-ruler government
- oligarchyRule by few
- monarchyRule by crowned sovereign
- theocracyRule by religious authority
tyranny · despotism · junta · absolutism · totalitarianism · authoritarianism · plutocracy · kleptocracy
Forcible prevention or concealment
- coercionPressured compliance through threats
- oppressionUnjust exercise of power
- curfewMandated return time
- surveillanceSystematic observation of subjects
secret-police · crackdown · purge · repression · intimidation · detention · exile · house-arrest
Fraudulently arranged beforehand
- gerrymanderingManipulating electoral boundaries strategically
- fraudIntentional criminal trickery
- intimidationDeliberate fear-inducing pressure
- rubber-stampApprove without real review
predetermined · unfree · unfair · manipulation · disenfranchisement · boycott · illegitimate
Limited in scope
- prohibitedOfficially not permitted
- bannedOfficially disallowed
- forbiddenNot allowed
- censoredSuppressed from publication
autocracy
Rule by one
- dictatorshipUnchecked single-ruler government
- oligarchyRule by few
- monarchyRule by crowned sovereign
theocracy · tyranny · despotism · junta · absolutism · totalitarianism · authoritarianism · plutocracy · kleptocracy · strongman
suppression
Forcible prevention or concealment
- coercionPressured compliance through threats
- oppressionUnjust exercise of power
- curfewMandated return time
surveillance · secret-police · crackdown · purge · repression · intimidation · detention · exile · house-arrest · disappearance
rigged
Fraudulently arranged beforehand
- gerrymanderingManipulating electoral boundaries strategically
- fraudIntentional criminal trickery
- intimidationDeliberate fear-inducing pressure
rubber-stamp · predetermined · unfree · unfair · manipulation · disenfranchisement · boycott · illegitimate
restricted
Limited in scope
- prohibitedOfficially not permitted
- bannedOfficially disallowed
- forbiddenNot allowed
nondemocraticdemocratic
Government by the people
self-governing · republican · popular · representative · participatory
democracy, democratic, democrat, undemocratic, democratize, democratization, antidemocratic, pro-democracy