Authoritarianism
“
A nation based on freedom is just another place to go shopping.
— 
Richard B. Spencer
Authoritarianism is a system of government where centralized power trumps all else. This power requires absolute obedience from citizens and restricts their political and civil liberties. Political scientists have created various classifications to categorize authoritarian states, qualities commonly associated with authoritarian regimes include the absence of free and competitive 
democratic elections and one-party state, as well as censorship, and minimal power restrictions. Though sometimes authoritarianism can reside in democratic countries with free and fair elections where there's a clampdown on liberties instead as well as more emphasis on authority.
History[edit | edit source]
The shift from 
tribal societies to complex cities often led to the rise of authoritarian rule. Powerful figures, like 
monarchs, emerged from dynasties, consolidating control. In Greece, 
democracy, initially seen as a challenger, eventually succumbed to authoritarian tendencies. This cycle continued for centuries. But the 
Enlightenment brought a revolutionary shift. Philosophers questioned traditional authority, sparking rebellions. Though, however, even these newly formed, thought to be good governments often slipped back into 
authoritarianism 
, continuing the cycle and highlighting the difficulty of maintaining a free and just society.
Beliefs[edit | edit source]
Authoritarian State[edit | edit source]
While authoritarian rule has existed for millennia (e.g., 
Roman Empire), the idea of an "authoritarian state" became more concrete with figures like 
Louis XIV and 
Thomas Hobbes. Louis XIV embodied 
absolute monarchy, ruling with complete authority and justifying it through religion. These regimes tend to persecute opponents and manipulate elections to stay in power.
Censorship[edit | edit source]
One of, if not the main characteristic of authoritarianism is censorship against the opinion and manifestation of opponents or divergent cultural values. There are several types of censorships, including opposition censorship, cultural value censorship, ethnocentric censorship, economic induced censorship, isolationist censorship and censorship against science.
Detention and Violence[edit | edit source]
One of the hallmarks of authoritarianism is the arrest (or imprisonment) and torture of political opponents, especially if they are extremely popular, but also arrest small opponents such as demonstrators. They usually use this as an example so that it cannot be repeated, even if it is sometimes expensive, so they end up using other strategies.
Propaganda[edit | edit source]
Authoritarian governmentswield propaganda as a weapon to manipulate public opinion. This advertising blitz relentlessly promotes a state-sanctioned ideal, be it ideology, religion, or culture. Traditional methods like posters and school indoctrination are employed alongside cultural manipulation through songs and essays. Opponents are very, very often demonized, often with loaded extreme labels like "
communist" or "
Nazi." Censorship stifles any dissenting views, while 
satire is used to mock and discredit opposition, often silencing satirists in the process.
This propaganda machine frequently manufactures a cult of personality around the leader or the state itself, portraying them as infallible or godlike figures. This fosters blind obedience and facilitates control, but sows the seeds of future instability.
Propaganda also serves as a smokescreen, concealing the nation's problems and failures. It paints a rosy picture, assuring citizens that the government is competent and the country thriving. This manipulation extends to wartime, where propaganda can obscure defeats.
Relations[edit | edit source]
Law and Order[edit | edit source]
Absolute Monarchism - Unjust and just authority are both great.
Oligarchy - From the shadows, my friend.
Autocracy - You're too narcissistic but I like the way you work.
Suspicious[edit | edit source]
Enlightenment Thought - Could have ended me, but ended up falling victim to the cycle.
Tribalism - The future is now, old man.
Democracy - Moron. We don't need ya dirty "liberty"... but you do elect authoritarian leaders sometimes which is nice.
Freedumbs[edit | edit source]
Anti-Authoritarianism - My opposite.
How to Draw[edit | edit source]
- Draw a ball.
- Fill it with a slightly faded navy blue.
- Draw a large black gavel in the middle of the ball.
- Draw eyes and you are is done finish!
| Color Name | HEX | |
|---|---|---|
| Blue | #3F51B5 | |
| Black | #141414 | |
