Autocracy
government in which one person has uncontrolled or unlimited authority over others; the government or power of an absolute monarch.
a nation, state, or community ruled by an autocrat.
unlimited authority, power, or influence of one person in any group.
Contemporary Examples
When asked about the transition from autocracy in other Middle Eastern countries, Marzouki responded positively.
Tunisian Leader Speaks on Democracy to Council on Foreign Relations Luke Darby September 28, 2012
The fundamental fallacy found in much thinking about Gaza is that the restriction of resources harms the forces of autocracy.
Powerless In Gaza Matt Sienkiewicz April 30, 2013
autocracy is just a Russian bad habit, like smoking three packs of cigarettes a day and drinking a liter of vodka.
Russian History Is on Our Side: Putin Will Surely Screw Himself P. J. O’Rourke May 10, 2014
There are elements of autocracy, monarchy and military in the organizational structure and culture of Chassidic movements.
What Peter Beinart Gets Wrong About Chabad David Werdiger June 30, 2013
By the way, the Saudis draw their line in Bahrain, where a Shiite majority is trying to overturn a Sunni autocracy.
The Rise of ‘Foreign Policy Birthers’ Leslie H. Gelb April 22, 2011
Historical Examples
I saw then the shadow of autocracy lying upon Russian lives in their submission or their revolt.
Under Western Eyes Joseph Conrad
He embodied the whole power of autocracy because he was its guardian.
Under Western Eyes Joseph Conrad
There were never many persons who could correctly bound the autocracy of Mutjado.
The Bee-Man of Orn and Other Fanciful Tales Frank R. Stockton
Why destroy the autocracy of the capitalist and erect on its ruins the autocracy of the worker?
The Crimson Tide Robert W. Chambers
The Russian autocracy went into the fight because of its pretensions in the Balkans.
The Story of the Great War, Volume VI (of VIII) Various
noun (pl) -cies
government by an individual with unrestricted authority
the unrestricted authority of such an individual
a country, society, etc, ruled by an autocrat
n.
1650s, “independent power, self-sustained power,” from French autocratie, from Greek autokrateia “ruling by oneself,” noun of state from autokrates (see autocrat). Meaning “absolute government, supreme political power” is recorded from 1855.
autocracy [(aw-tok-ruh-see)]
A system of government in which supreme political power is held by one person. (Compare constitutional monarchy, democracy, and oligarchy.)
Note: Iraq under Saddam Hussein is an autocracy.
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