TEACH
Important Terminology
By offering a term of the week, we aim to educate students about terms and concepts most central to the idea of authoritarianism
Authoritarianism
A form of rule in which the leadership suppresses popular will through force. Authoritarianism is also the ideology of having an authoritarian in charge. Furthermore, authoritarianism is a system, not just a person.
Democratic Norms
These are the core tenets of democracy. Without these things, it is impossible for democracy to function.
Mutual toleration
The idea that all politicians in a country want what is best for the country; they simply disagree on the method.
Totalitarian
A complete dedication to an ideal,set of principles or a way of living
and violent opposition to those who don’t follow it. Another core facet of totalitarianism is attempting to convert people to the ideas of the totalitarian regime.
Cult of Personality
This cult is built up over many years, to the point where citizens are not voting for any policies in particular, but for a candidate. This cult serves two purposes, to maintain popular support for the leader, and to prevent the leader from suffering a coup. Through the cult of personality, all problems can be deflected off of the leader and onto his, the word his is used because not a single female strongman has emerged around the world, subordinates. Furthermore the cult of personality prevents the leader from falling to any coups, as all popular support is clustered around him.
Monarchies
Monarchies are dictatorships in which rule is passed down through a family. This is a very strong form of dictatorship, as power is only shared among the royal family, who are inherently loyal to each other due to familial bonds.
Military dictatorships
Military dictatorships are immensely powerful because they are backed by the military. This is essential both because the military can be used to control the rest of the population and because dictators only need to appease a small fraction of the population, leaving them free to do as they wish
Civilian dictatorships
A civilian dictatorship has neither the family loyalty of monarchies or the military strength of military dictatorships, making them vulnerable. Therefore, civilian dictators need to gain the support of the people in order to maintain control and facilitate a functioning economy.
Authoritarian
A person who attempts to circumvent the law and procedure and implement laws and rules with their own power.
Extremist
Somebody who wants to overturn the system of democracy and the established social order.