What is Authoritarianism?

PHILO-notes
16 Oct 202103:33
EducationalLearning
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TLDRAuthoritarianism is a government system where rulers expect absolute obedience and reject political plurality. It's marked by strong central power, reduced rule of law, and limited democratic voting. Authoritarian leaders often govern arbitrarily, with little regard for law and without the possibility of being replaced through free elections. Unlike totalitarianism, authoritarian regimes may allow some social pluralism but still restrict political opposition. Examples include certain 20th-century military dictatorships in Latin America.

Takeaways
  • 🏛️ Authoritarianism is a form of government where rulers expect absolute obedience from citizens.
  • 🚫 It rejects political plurality and uses strong central power to maintain the status quo.
  • 📜 Authoritarian regimes often reduce the rule of law, separation of powers, and democratic voting.
  • 🧐 Traditional authoritarians argue for government control over belief and behavior, limiting individual choice.
  • 🔍 It's possible for a state to be authoritarian in some areas but more liberal in others.
  • 🗣️ Authoritarian leaders, like Frederick the Great, may allow speech but exercise power without restraint.
  • 🗳️ Authoritarian governments lack free and competitive elections for legislative or executive bodies.
  • 🌐 Civil liberties such as freedom of religion are often absent in authoritarian states.
  • 🔄 The government and opposition do not alternate in power following free elections in these states.
  • ❄️ Cold War political scientists distinguished authoritarian governments from totalitarian ones, with the former being less pervasive.
  • 🤔 Authoritarianism is seen as preferable to totalitarianism when democracy is not yet feasible.
  • 🛑 It stands in contrast to democracy, with leaders exercising power arbitrarily and without legal constraints.
  • 🚫 Opposition political parties or alternative groupings are limited or non-existent in authoritarian regimes.
  • 🌍 Examples of authoritarian regimes include pro-western military dictatorships in Latin America during the 20th century.
Q & A

  • What is the defining characteristic of an authoritarian form of government?

    -The defining characteristic of an authoritarian form of government is the demand for unquestioning obedience from the ruled, with a strong central power maintaining the political status quo and rejecting political plurality.

  • How does authoritarianism differ from democracy in terms of individual freedoms?

    -Authoritarianism restricts individual freedoms by limiting the rule of law, separation of powers, and democratic voting, whereas democracy promotes individual freedom of thought and action through free and competitive elections and the protection of civil liberties.

  • What is the relationship between authoritarianism and the rule of law?

    -In authoritarian regimes, the rule of law is often reduced or disregarded, allowing leaders to exercise power arbitrarily without being bound by existing legal frameworks.

  • Can an authoritarian government exist with some elements of liberalism?

    -Yes, it is possible for an authoritarian government to be authoritarian in some spheres while allowing more liberal policies in others, reflecting a balance between strict control and individual freedoms.

  • What is the historical example of an authoritarian leader's attitude towards public opinion and personal power?

    -Frederick the Great is alleged to have said, 'I have an agreement with my people: they can say what they like, and I can do what I like,' illustrating an authoritarian leader's disregard for public opinion in favor of personal power.

  • How do authoritarian states typically handle civil liberties such as freedom of religion?

    -Authoritarian states often lack civil liberties, including freedom of religion, and the government may impose restrictions or control over religious practices.

  • What is the difference between authoritarian and totalitarian governments according to American political scientists during the Cold War?

    -During the Cold War, American political scientists distinguished authoritarian governments, often military regimes, from totalitarian governments, which were invariably communist. Authoritarian governments did not last as long and allowed a larger sphere for private life, while totalitarian regimes sought to control all aspects of life and society.

  • How do authoritarian regimes treat the existence of opposition political parties or groupings?

    -In authoritarian regimes, the freedom to create opposition political parties or alternative political groupings is either limited or non-existent, preventing citizens from freely competing for power with the ruling group.

  • What is the fundamental contrast between authoritarianism and democracy?

    -The fundamental contrast between authoritarianism and democracy lies in the principle of blind submission to authority in authoritarianism versus the emphasis on individual freedom and the right to choose among various political competitors in a democratic system.

  • Can you provide examples of authoritarian regimes according to some scholars?

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

  • What is the role of ideology in authoritarian governments compared to totalitarian ones?

    -Authoritarian governments usually do not have a highly developed guiding ideology and tolerate some pluralism in social organization, unlike totalitarian regimes which are driven by a comprehensive and controlling ideology that seeks to mobilize the entire population in pursuit of national goals.

Outlines
00:00
🏛️ Authoritarianism: Rejection of Plurality and Centralized Power

This paragraph delves into the concept of authoritarianism as a form of government characterized by the demand for absolute obedience from the populace. It emphasizes the absence of political plurality, the strong central power to maintain the status quo, and the reduction of democratic principles such as the rule of law and separation of powers. The paragraph also contrasts authoritarianism with other forms of governance, highlighting the limited or non-existent freedom to create opposition parties or alternative political groupings. It mentions that authoritarian states may lack civil liberties and the alternation of power through free elections. Historical references, such as Frederick the Great's quote, illustrate the essence of authoritarian leadership, which is the principle of blind submission to authority over individual freedom. The paragraph concludes with a comparison between authoritarian and totalitarian regimes, noting the relative advantages of authoritarianism in the absence of ripe conditions for democracy.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Authoritarianism
Authoritarianism is a political system where the government exercises absolute control over its citizens, demanding complete obedience without question. It is a central theme of the video, illustrating a form of governance that rejects political plurality and democratic processes. The script mentions that authoritarian leaders often exercise power arbitrarily, contrasting with democratic principles.
💡Unquestioning Obedience
Unquestioning obedience refers to the expectation in authoritarian regimes for citizens to follow the government's directives without dissent. It is a key concept in the script, highlighting the lack of freedom of thought and action in authoritarian systems, where the state's word is law and individual choice is minimized.
💡Political Plurality
Political plurality is the existence of multiple political parties or ideologies within a system, which is rejected in authoritarian regimes. The script explains that authoritarianism is characterized by the absence of such plurality, as it maintains a strong central power to preserve the status quo without the presence of competing political views.
💡Rule of Law
The rule of law is the principle that all members of a society, including the government, are considered equally subject to the law. The script points out that in authoritarian regimes, the rule of law is often reduced, with leaders exercising power beyond legal constraints, which is a departure from democratic norms.
💡Separation of Powers
Separation of powers refers to the division of government responsibilities into distinct branches to prevent any one branch from exercising the core functions of another. The video script notes that authoritarianism often involves a reduction in this principle, concentrating power in fewer hands and undermining checks and balances.
💡Democratic Voting
Democratic voting is the process by which citizens elect their representatives in a government. The script explains that authoritarian governments lack free and competitive elections, either direct or indirect, which is a fundamental aspect of democratic participation and representation.
💡Civil Liberties
Civil liberties are the personal freedoms and rights that are guaranteed to individuals by the law. The video script mentions that authoritarian states often lack civil liberties, such as freedom of religion, and represent a significant departure from the freedoms expected in democratic societies.
💡Totalitarianism
Totalitarianism is a more extreme form of authoritarianism where the state seeks to control all aspects of public and private life. The script distinguishes between authoritarian and totalitarian governments, noting that while both are undemocratic, totalitarian regimes are characterized by a highly developed guiding ideology and a complete absence of political opposition.
💡Frederick the Great
Frederick the Great is mentioned in the script as an example of an authoritarian leader, illustrating the concept with his alleged statement about the relationship between rulers and the ruled. His quote encapsulates the essence of authoritarianism, where leaders hold absolute power while citizens have limited freedom of speech.
💡Opposition
Opposition in a political context refers to political parties or groups that are not in power and offer an alternative to the ruling party. The script explains that in authoritarian regimes, the freedom to create opposition political parties or alternative political groupings is either limited or non-existent, which is a stark contrast to democratic systems where opposition is a vital part of the political landscape.
💡Military Dictatorships
Military dictatorships are a type of authoritarian regime where the military exercises control over the government. The script cites examples of pro-western military dictatorships in Latin America and elsewhere during the 20th century as instances of authoritarianism, illustrating how these regimes maintained power without the presence of democratic elections or civil liberties.
Highlights

Authoritarianism is a government form where rulers demand unquestioning obedience.

It is characterized by the rejection of political plurality and strong central power.

Authoritarianism reduces the rule of law, separation of powers, and democratic voting.

Authoritarians traditionally argue for government determination over individual choice.

Authoritarianism can exist in some spheres while being liberal in others.

Frederick the Great's quote illustrates the nature of authoritarian rule.

Authoritarian governments lack free and competitive elections.

Authoritarian states may lack civil liberties and government-opposition alternation.

Distinguished between authoritarian and totalitarian governments during the Cold War.

Authoritarian regimes may have advantages over totalitarian ones in certain contexts.

Authoritarian leaders exercise power arbitrarily and disregard existing laws.

Citizens in authoritarian regimes cannot freely replace leaders through elections.

Opposition political parties are limited or non-existent in authoritarian regimes.

Authoritarianism stands in fundamental contrast to democracy.

It differs from totalitarianism by having less guiding ideology and more social pluralism.

Examples of authoritarian regimes include pro-western military dictatorships.

20th-century Latin American military dictatorships exemplify authoritarianism.

Transcripts

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Related Tags
AuthoritarianismGovernmentObediencePolitical PluralityCentral PowerRule of LawDemocratic VotingCivil LibertiesTotalitarianismCold WarPolitical Science