5.3.3 Types of Authoritarianism

In the past, most systems of government were non-democratic. Only in the last few hundred years have most nations adopted some form of democracy. Even so, many nations are ruled by various non-democratic or authoritarian governments. Many of these employ some form of democratic process at some point, but generally their practices do not allow for full participation of citizens in decision-making or provide for extensive civil liberties. Some violate the most fundamental human rights of their people.

Authoritarianism can take many different forms. You learned in Unit Four that the Soviet Union was a totalitarian one-party state. Read the following ways an authoritarian government can operate - can you decide which one fits Nazi Germany?


Brasilia-The President of the Syrian Arab Republic, Bashar Al-Assad during a visit to Congress on August 18th, 2011. Photo by Fabio Rodrigues Pozzebom. Modifications done by César. Wikimedia Commons. Creative Commons 3.0

An oligarchy is a government led by an elite group or family. Most monarchies began as oligarchies. One family took over leadership, often through violent means, and then passed the title to another family member in each succeeding generation.

Example: The only recent example is Syria, where Hafaz al Asad took power through military means in 1963. On his death, his son Bashar al Asad became "president" as the only candidate in the election.   



Saudi Arabian Minister of Defense Crown Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, December 9th, 2013. Photo taken by James N. Mattis courtesy of the United States Government. Public Domain.

Absolute monarchy is a hereditary system in which power is handed down through the ages. Britain, France, and most European nations were absolute monarchies at one time. Most monarchies today are constitutional monarchies in which the hereditary ruler is a figurehead and the real power is held by an elected Prime Minister and legislature.

Example: The House of Saud, led by King Saud of Saudi Arabia, is one of the few absolute monarchies today. He is part of a large and powerful family that controls the nation and its vast oil wealth.
 



Ali Khamenei, April 12, 2017. Photo by Khamenei.ir, courtesy of http://farsi.khamenei.ir/photo-album?id=360223. Creative Commons 4.0.

Theocracy is a government in which one individual is the undisputed ruler and is selected through religious beliefs.

Example: Iran became an "Islamic Republic" in 1979 after the majority voted for the people's sovereignty to be replaced by the "absolute sovereignty of God". Under the constitution of Iran, which merges elements of democracy and theocracy, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran shares power with the elected president. Ali Hoseini-Khameni was selected by the Assembly of Experts, a panel of elected Islamic scholars. Although Iran has an president elected by universal suffrage, the Supreme Leader has greater powers that spring from the religious beliefs and traditions of Islam.



Burmese Defence Services personal (Airforce), Naypyidaw at reception of Thai delegation, October 12th, 2010. Image Courtesy of the Thai Government, Wikimedia Commons. Public Domain

Military dictatorship is by far the most common type of authoritarian government operating today. In this system, political groups come to power through military might by overthrowing the existing government through a military junta. Key military personnel occupy key government positions and control all legislative and executive functions of government. Civilians take advisory roles only, or they might be figureheads to make the regime seem legitimate. Power is maintained through fear and tyranny. However, individual rights may still be strong although they will not include the right to participate in political decision-making. Dictatorships can try to work for the collective good or for the benefit of the ruling class, and they might choose capitalist, socialist, or communist economic systems.

Example: Myanmar is a military dictatorship.
 



Xi Jinping of China in British Parliament courtesy of VOA News. Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain

Under a one-party state, only one party forms the government and no other party is permitted to run candidates for election. Under this political system, democracy may appear to exist because people vote. Or people may vote for party members who have real power. However, if only one party runs for power, the voters have no choice; it is impossible to tell if the will of the people is reflected. One-party states are often communist states that describe themselves as the people's republic, a democratic republic, or a socialist republic, inferring that they embody the will of the people.

Examples: The People's Republic of China, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea today, and until recently, the Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party in Iraq under Saddam Hussein
 



"Sign from the Apartheid era in South Africa". Photo by Dewit, Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain

Minority tyranny occurs when a minority rules over the majority. This group enjoys full rights under the law, but it restricts the rights of the majority. Historically, this occurred in many colonized nations around the world during imperialism when First Nations people could not vote but the immigrants from France, England, and other nations could. Canada's First Nations people were first allowed to vote in federal elections in 1960.

Example: South Africa under apartheid was the wealthy white class ruling over the majority of blacks in South Africa.
 



Read "Authoritarian Political Systems" pages 357 to 360 of your text Perspectives on Ideology.