noun
autocracy
aw-TAH-kruh-see/ɔːˈtɑːkrəsi/
A government or organization ruled by one person with absolute power.
The country becomes an autocracy when one ruler gains unlimited power.
Etymology
The pieces express rule by oneself. Once used for independent power or self-government, autocracy came to mean government in which a single person holds unlimited political power.
In context
in a democracy the power is derived from the people in an autocracy the power lies the unlimited power lies within the central government within that leader
More examples
- Several autocracies restricted independent newspapers.
- The company was run as an autocracy by its founder.
- The reformers sought to replace autocracy with representative government.
Forms
autocracy · autocracies
autocrat noun — A person who exercises complete power.
Similar words
- dictatorship
- Usually emphasizes a ruler's unchecked, often coercive political control.
- monarchy
- May be constitutionally limited rather than an absolute form of rule.