What is Authoritarian ?

Authoritarianism is a form of government characterized by the rejection of political plurality, the use of strong central power to preserve the political status quo, and reductions in the rule of law, separation of powers, and democratic voting.

Authoritarianism thus stands in fundamental contrast to democracy. It also differs from totalitarianism, however, since authoritarian governments usually have no highly developed guiding ideology, tolerate some pluralism in social organization, lack the power to mobilize the entire population in pursuit of national goals, and exercise power within relatively predictable limits.

Examples of authoritarian regimes, according to some scholars, include the pro-Western military dictatorships that existed in Latin America and elsewhere in the second half of the 20th century.

Why Is an Authoritarian Government Bad?

When an authoritarian government makes it harder for journalists to do their job, for example by restricting their ability to operate or by encouraging attacks against the media, it inevitably makes it harder for a narrative different from the government’s to emerge.

That means people are more likely to only get the ruling party’s version of an event. In other words, the government can manipulate the population through propaganda.

Authoritarian governments inevitably limit a society’s progress because they impose limits on the say people have in the direction of the country. By impeding inclusive political institutions, they will also impede economic ones in time.

That does not mean a country can not experience economic advances, even wild ones with a “strongman” leader at the helm or through a one-party state.

At some point, an authoritarian government places limits on people’s economic opportunities because they clash with those of political control.

For example, the oligarchy in place in Hungary prevents other citizens from participating fully in the economy and creating competitors to the large ventures run by Orban’s cronies. Meanwhile, Orban limits the possibilities to criticise his government at a political level