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autocracy

IPA:

How to pronounce autocracy (audio)

Dictionary definition of autocracy

A system of government in which unlimited power is concentrated in the hands of a single individual or a small group of individuals.
"The autocracy stifled dissent and suppressed any form of opposition or criticism."

Detailed meaning of autocracy

In an autocracy, the ruler or rulers possess absolute authority and exercise complete control over the government and its decision-making processes. This form of governance is characterized by the absence or limited presence of checks and balances, as well as minimal or no accountability to the public. Autocratic leaders often hold power through inheritance, coup d'état, or by suppressing dissent and opposition. The ruler's decisions are typically not subject to public debate or approval, and dissent or criticism is often met with repression or punishment. Autocracies can manifest in various forms, such as absolute monarchies, dictatorships, or totalitarian regimes. This concentration of power can have significant implications for individual freedoms, human rights, and the overall democratic functioning of a society.

Example sentences containing autocracy

1. The country's government transitioned from a democracy to an autocracy, with all power held by a single ruler.
2. The citizens lived under the oppressive rule of the autocracy, with limited freedom of speech and assembly.
3. The autocracy's policies were enforced without any public consultation or input.
4. The autocracy maintained control through a powerful security apparatus and surveillance measures.
5. The autocracy's propaganda machine propagated a cult of personality around the ruler.
6. Under the autocracy, independent media outlets were shut down, leaving only state-controlled media.

History and etymology of autocracy

The noun 'autocracy' has its etymological origins in ancient Greek. It is formed from two Greek words: 'auto,' meaning 'self,' and 'kratos,' meaning 'power' or 'rule.' In the Greek context, 'autokratia' referred to a system of government where ultimate power and authority rested in the hands of a single individual, typically a monarch or ruler. This term highlighted the concentration of power and the absence of checks and balances on the ruler's authority. As 'autokratia' passed into Latin, it retained its sense of an absolute and centralized form of governance. Eventually, in its journey into modern English, it became 'autocracy,' maintaining its meaning of a system of government where unlimited power is concentrated in the hands of a single individual or a small group of individuals. The etymology of 'autocracy' underscores the concept of self-rule and absolute authority that characterizes such systems of governance.

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Further usage examples of autocracy

1. The autocracy's arbitrary and unchecked decision-making led to widespread corruption.
2. Dissidents and activists faced persecution and imprisonment under the autocracy.
3. The autocracy's grip on power was maintained through a system of patronage and nepotism.
4. International human rights organizations criticized the autocracy for its flagrant violations of basic rights.
5. The autocracy's economic policies favored a small elite while neglecting the welfare of the majority.
6. The nation endured years of autocracy under the dictator's rule.
7. Autocracy often leads to a lack of individual freedoms.
8. Citizens revolted against the autocracy to seek democracy.
9. The autocracy suppressed dissenting voices in the country.
10. An autocracy can stifle economic and social progress.
11. The overthrow of the autocracy marked a turning point.
12. The autocracy's policies favored the ruling elite.
13. Autocracy contrasts sharply with a system of checks and balances.
14. The autocracy imposed strict censorship on the media.
15. Autocracy can result in the concentration of wealth.
16. The autocracy's leaders were not accountable to the people.
17. The autocracy's propaganda machine controlled public opinion.
18. The autocracy's military enforced its authority.
19. Transitioning from autocracy to democracy is challenging.
20. The autocracy's legacy left scars on the nation.
21. The autocracy's grip on power seemed unshakeable.
22. Autocracy can lead to human rights violations.
23. Citizens yearned for a transition away from autocracy.
24. The autocracy's collapse led to political chaos.
25. The autocracy's fall opened a path to democratic reforms.

Suffix -acy, ACT 9 (American College Testing), Domination and Power, Leadership and Governance

absolutism,despotism,dictatorship,oligarchy,oppression,totalitarianism,tyranny

authoritarianism,monarchy

dictatorship, democracy, republic, egalitarianism

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