Definition:
A dictatorship is a form of governance in which power is held by a single individual or a small group, exercised without meaningful democratic constraints or checks.
Usage Context:
Used in political analysis, historical accounts, and discussions of non-democratic regimes.
Critical Note:
Dictatorships are often personalised around leaders, which can obscure the institutional structures, enforcers, and cultural mechanisms that sustain them. Focusing solely on individuals risks overlooking how systems enable authoritarian control.
Related Terms:
Authoritarian Governance, Power Consolidation, Scapegoating, State Violence, Cult of Personality