
This started the wave of military dictatorships in South America well into the mid-20th century. Self-appointed leaders (called Caudillos) backed by private armies rose to power at the end of Spanish colonial rule. Traditional monarchies declined between the 19th and 20th centuries. Monarchy systems in the West employed various religious tactics to maintain their rule.

All manner of political propaganda is used on the public to promote disinterest in alternative forms of governance. Dictatorial rule is exercised through different mechanisms to make sure the powers that be stay in control.ĭifference between a Bobcat and a Mountain Lionĭictatorships are forms of authoritarianism where those in power have control over every aspect of its peoples’ public and private lives. Adolf Hitler, a dictator, in one his public speechesĪ dictatorship refers to a form of government where one person or a group of people rules over a nation. Tokugawa became medieval Japan’s sole ruler and closed its borders to foreign trade and controlled all aspects of daily human affairs. Ieyasu Tokugawa established his Tokugawa Shogunate after seizing mastery of all of medieval Japan. The Aztecs had a powerful military ruled by an emperor who is also a religious figure leading their empire’s aggressive foreign policy. Rome grew peaceful and prosperous until Commodus took leadership in 161 AD.

Thus, policy forming and implementation were laid down without delay.Īugustus, the first Roman Emperor, retained the Roman Senate while successfully keeping the power all to himself. For instance, autocratic regimes did not have to deal with political quarrels from opposing sides because there were none to begin with. The term “autocrat” had a more positive meaning in earlier times.

Autocratic leaders make decisions according to their judgment and ideas with almost no input from followers. An autocrat heads this form of government unopposed and is answerable to no one. All political and legal power are wielded by just one person, including creating state policies and national decisions. Autocracy Dictatorship Headed by only one person Headed by one person or a group of people Once regarded as a favorable form of governance Often associated with genocide, oppression, and tyrannical rule Definitions Autocratic North Korean leader Kim Jong-unĪutocracy is a political system in which supreme authority rests in the hands of a single ruler.
