Definition:
Authoritarian governance is a system of rule characterised by the concentration of power in a central authority, limited political pluralism, and restricted public participation in decision-making.
Usage Context:
Seen in state governance, emergency rule frameworks, institutional management structures, and organisational systems with top-down control.
Critical Note:
Authoritarian governance often justifies itself through stability, efficiency, or security. By limiting accountability and dissent, it prioritises order over consent and treats compliance as a substitute for legitimacy.
Related Terms:
Power Consolidation, Authority Framing, Compliance Framing, Punitive Neutrality, Institutional Self-Alignment