In 2022, Freedom House released a report titled “The Global Expansion of Authoritarian Rule.” Since then, other organizations, journalists, academics, and grassroots groups have warned the threat is not going away, but rather getting worse. Authoritarianism attacks democracy and human rights by stripping away the freedom, dignity, and safety of nearly everyone in a society. In this article, we’ll define authoritarianism, provide examples of what it looks like, and explore the best ways to resist it.
Definition: Authoritarianism today
Authoritarianism is a political philosophy and type of government rule where a singular person or political party holds all the power. Britannica defines 20th-century authoritarianism as a type of rule defined by a charismatic leader, a centralized government, a secret police force, strict control of information, and violence. Famous authoritarians from the past include Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, Mao Zedong, Pol Pot, and Idi Amin.
One-party dictatorships, military dictatorships, and absolute monarchies are types of authoritarian governments, but not every authoritarian regime announces itself. For example, India and Russia hold elections, but a passing glance at these governments reveals blatantly authoritarian characteristics like media censorship, the silencing of political opposition, and stacking the government with loyalists. As Professor Ben Ansell explained in an NPR interview, countries with ties to Europe and the United States like to act and look like democracies, at least on the surface. Even a rigged election can send the message that the leader is popular and therefore justified in whatever oppressive plans they undertake. They may pay lip service to democratic norms, but they govern by violating them.
What does authoritarianism look like?
Authoritarianism has several defining characteristics. In this section, we use examples from specific leaders, but authoritarianism doesn’t always need a single powerful figure. Fixating on individuals can distract from tyrannical systems and acts that don’t depend on the traditional charismatic ruler. Watch for actions, even those passed through large legislative bodies or institutions. Authoritarianism can be insidious.
#1. Centralizing power
The centralization of power is essential to authoritarian rule. This includes removing checks and balances that curb parties and people from holding all the power and acting above the rule of law. How does this work? Authoritarians need cooperation from legislatures, court systems, and other institutions. Filling them with loyal people is one of the best ways to ensure an authoritarian’s ability to break or rewrite laws, and as scholar Anne Applebaum describes in Twilight of Democracy, maintain a “soft dictatorship.” An authoritarian might also remove democratic standards at the root. Viktor Orban, the Prime Minister of Hungary, provides a good example. In 2011, he ushered in a new constitution and changed hundreds of electoral laws, giving his political party more power. If you’re unsure whether a ruler is acting like an authoritarian, look at the rules they change and who they appoint to important positions. Do these changes hold them more or less accountable? Are people chosen for their qualifications or their loyalty?
#2. Controlling the media and flow of information
Authoritarians want to control everything, including reality itself. Controlling the media and information landscape lets them spread favorable narratives about themselves and damaging ones about their enemies. In The Age of the Strongman, Gideon Rachman describes how despite promising media freedom, Vladimir Putin quickly brought all independent media under government control. Two oligarchs previously in charge of independent media organizations fled the country; one died under mysterious circumstances in 2013. This type of media control violates the right to freedom of opinion and expression, and the right to seek, receive, and share information and ideas through media (Article 19 of the UDHR). With a grip on information, authoritarians try to present the world with a twisted version of reality that paints them as a strong and noble savior. Supporters are encouraged to dismiss and attack any opposing information, no matter how accurate it is. For the authoritarian, truth is something to be created, not discovered.
#3. Claiming to be “of the people”
Authoritarians often present themselves as avatars of “ordinary people” in a battle against an elite force bent on their oppression. This philosophy is known as “populism.” Because it’s hard to argue that society favors the wealthy and powerful while crushing the poor, authoritarians seize on the idea to justify their leadership. As The Age of the Strongman describes, India’s Prime Minister Modi claims a “direct relationship” with the people. He came into power promising to bring justice and wealth to “the real Indians” left behind by the old governments. American president Donald Trump uses similar language by claiming to have the best interest of the underserved at heart while deriding “the elite.” These nods to populism are typically a facade. In his first term, Trump signed a $1.9 trillion tax bill that disproportionately favored corporations and the wealthiest Americans. Instead of helping the working-class Americans Trump claims to represent, his policies have hurt them.
#4. Justifying drastic action with existential threats
Authoritarians claw for absolute power with the message, “I have to do this to save everyone.” They claim a situation is so dire, a country must surrender its normal rights and freedoms to survive. Marginalized groups are almost always classified as threats. For an authoritarian like Hitler, it was Jewish people, who he classified as a separate, inferior race responsible for Germany’s defeat in WWI. Viktor Orban’s hatred of George Soros, a Jewish philanthropist, echoes this demonization. In the United States and parts of Europe, migrants and refugees get scapegoated for just about every economic and social problem. While ethnic or religious groups are often targeted, authoritarians go after political enemies, too. On December 3, 2024, South Korean President Yoon declared martial law, saying it was needed to combat pro-North Korean forces trying to destroy the country. At the time of writing, Yoon was under investigation for insurrection. While this grasp for more power has currently failed, justifying drastic and violent action with existential threats is a classic authoritarian move.
#5. Promising to bring back an era of greatness
Authoritarians love to harken back to “the good old days.” As The Age of the Strongman says, “In different ways, they [authoritarians] all promise to restore a lost era of national greatness.” Nationalism, which prioritizes national identity and interests at the expense of other nations and people, defines an authoritarian approach to issues like foreign policy and immigration. Vladimir Putin is obsessed with the Russian empire, arguing that Ukraine needs to become part of Russia again to restore its greatness. “Make America Great Again,” Donald Trump’s political slogan, is a textbook example of nationalist ideology, as is senior advisor Stephen Miller‘s cry at a 2024 rally, “America is for Americans and Americans only.” In an authoritarian telling of history, the past is always better, nationalists are superior, and only an authoritarian leader can restore a land to its full glory.
How do we address authoritarianism?
Authoritarianism cannot survive without support, so refusing to cooperate is the only way to end it. What does resistance look like? Here are three examples:
#1. Don’t fall into the outrage trap
As authoritarians gather power and shatter norms, it’s easy to become shocked and appalled. While there’s nothing inherently wrong with outrage, that emotion alone isn’t enough to stop an authoritarian. It’s also exhausting. Day after day, you’ll experience an onslaught of terrible news, and if you aren’t careful, your outrage can trap you. Humans aren’t meant to consume huge amounts of information so quickly, so while you may think you’re staying informed, you’re actually frying your brain cells. Take a break. Turn off the news and get off your phone. You don’t need to stay outraged 24/7 to resist authoritarianism. You must pace yourself.
#2. Watch out for us-against-them narratives
Authoritarians love pitting people against each other. Resist the urge to participate, even when you feel justified. As an example, President Trump’s proposed tariffs could raise the prices of groceries and other essential goods, and if this becomes a reality, it will affect his supporters, too. Many will never regret voting for him, but if there’s an opportunity to unite against high prices and make changes, people need to take it. Clinging to us-versus-them narratives splits movements before they even form and only benefits authoritarians who thrive on conflict. Watch out for narratives that ask you to blame your neighbor or your coworker or an abstract “them.” To fight authoritarians, you must join with people with whom you have very little in common. If you’re always pointing fingers and gnawing at each other’s throats, the authoritarians win.
#3. Do what you can where you can
When you look at the big picture of what needs to change, resisting authoritarianism is overwhelming. Remember, tyranny does not fall because of one person, but if one person resists, it inspires the next person, and then the next. Do what you can where you can. Support independent media, teachers, labor unions, lawyers, judges, and election workers. Donate and volunteer with organizations that provide food, education, clothing, legal resources, and healthcare. Commit to understanding how political processes work and refuse to accept what an authoritarian sells you as reality. Refuse to participate in dehumanization. Authoritarianism is not only a battle for government control but for the control of people’s minds. Do everything you can to keep your mind your own, and remember, without support, authoritarianism will fall.
