The 20th century also saw the rise of personalist dictatorships in Africa and military dictatorships in Latin America, both of which became prominent in the 1960s and 1970s. [42] Within a personalist regime an issue called "The dictators dilemma" arises. A dictatorship is a form of government where one person, or a small group of individuals, can make decisions without effective constitutional limitations. [37], Personalist dictators typically favor loyalty over competence in their governments and have a general distrust of intelligentsia. While the term has been used several times throughout history, most common usage of the term is in relation to different types of dictatorships that existed in the 20th and 21st centuries. [74] The Bolsheviks consolidated power by 1922, forming the Soviet Union. One moose, two moose. This was replaced by a trend of developing a positive public image to maintain support among the populace and moderating rhetoric to integrate with the global community. Dictatorship - a form of government in which a ruler or small clique wield absolute power (not restricted by a constitution or laws). D.C.'s favorite parlor game is coming to an end. [92] Deng Xiaoping took power as the de facto leader of China after Mao's death and implemented reforms to restore stability following the Cultural Revolution and reestablish free market economics. The people themselves have few rights and little power. Dictators usually come to power through some kind of violent struggle, rather than the peaceful passage of power that we take for granted in the United States. Dictatorship or Totalitarianism is a situation where a single person or political party rules the entire country. Single-party dictatorships were most common during the Cold War, with dominant-party dictatorships becoming more common after the fall of the Soviet Union. In some such countries, elected presidents and prime ministers captured personal power by establishing one-party rule and suppressing the opposition, while in others the army seized power and established military dictatorships. [62][63][64] Maximilien Robespierre has been similarly described as a dictator while he controlled the National Convention in France and carried out the Reign of Terror in 1793 and 1794. dictatorship, form of government in which one person or a small group possesses absolute power without effective constitutional limitations. It was initially aligned with Yugoslavia, but its alignment shifted throughout the Cold War between Yugoslavia, the Soviet Union, and China. Italian dictator Benito Mussolini coined the term totalitario in the early 1920s to characterize the new fascist state of Italy, which he further described as "all within the state, none outside the state, none . Monarchies may be dynastic, in which the royal family serves as a ruling institution similar to a political party in a one-party state, or they may be non-dynastic, in which the monarch rules independently of the royal family as a personalist dictator. Military dictatorship of Chile (1973-1990) - Wikipedia [10] Political scientist Juan Jos Linz identifies a spectrum of political systems with democracies and totalitarian regimes separated by authoritarian regimes with varied classifications of hybrid systems. Military dictatorships may be ruled by a single high-ranking military officer or by a group of such officers. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Modern dictatorships first developed in the 19th century, which included Bonapartism in Europe and caudillos in Latin America. Today, the term "dictator" is associated with cruel and oppressive rulers who violate human rights and maintain their power by jailing and executing their opponents. [85] After being defeated in World War II, the far-right dictatorships of Europe collapsed, with the exceptions of Spain and Portugal. These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'dictatorship.' A dictatorship is a form of government in which a person or a small group rules with almost unlimited power. [132] In the 21st century, dictatorships have moved toward greater integration with the global community and increasingly attempt to present themselves as democratic. Members of the group will typically make up the elites in a dictator's inner circle at the beginning of a new dictatorship, though the dictator may remove them as a means to gain additional power. When letters make sounds that aren't associated w One goose, two geese. As a result, dictatorship became one of the two dominant forms of government utilized by countries. Factions or divisions among the elites will mitigate their ability to bargain with the dictator, resulting in the dictator having more unrestrained power. A dictator that has concentrated significant power is more likely to be exiled, imprisoned, or killed after ouster, and accordingly they are more likely to refuse negotiation and cling to power. [108], Dictatorship in Europe largely ended after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, and the liberalization of most communist states. [93] Chiang Kai-shek continued to rule as dictator of the National government's rump state in Taiwan until his death in 1975. 18 Dictatorship Examples (2023) - Helpful Professor The question for many constitutional regimes is whether the limitation and balance of power that are at the heart of constitutional government can survive the growing enlargement of executive power. Unlike in the United States and other similar nations, the people living in a dictatorship have no rights of free speech, freedom of religion, a free press or even the right to hold an opinion in opposition to the ruler and ruling party. This makes it distinct from constitutional monarchy and ceremonial monarchy. [11], A dictatorship is formed when a specific group seizes power, with the composition of this group affecting how power is seized and how the eventual dictatorship will rule. Democracy Types, Principles & Examples | What is Democracy? Dictators use intimidation, terror, and the suppression of basic civil liberties. There are no checks and balances of power that these leaders need to conform to. [80] Italian dictator Benito Mussolini seized power in 1922, and began implementing reforms in 1925 to create the first fascist dictatorship. A dictatorship leader is a political leader who possesses absolute power. [123], The type of economy in a dictatorship can affect how it functions. Erdogan looked pale as he sat behind a desk surrounded by Cabinet members . The communist and fascist dictatorships that arose in various technologically advanced countries in the first half of the 20th century were distinctively different from the authoritarian regimes of Latin America or the postcolonial dictatorships of Africa and Asia. Forms of Government: Definition & Types | StudySmarter A self-proclaimed leader, usually an army officer, heading a private army typically formed from the peasantry with the support of provincial landowners, established his control over one or more provinces, and then marched upon the national capital. [111][112][113] Latin America saw a period of liberalization similar to that of Europe at the end of the Cold War, with Cuba being the only Latin American country that did not experience any degree of liberalization between 1992 and 2010. Most dictatorship countries do not refer to their leader as a dictator, but rather as kings, presidents, prime ministers, etc. dictatorship summary | Britannica Dictators are more likely to implement long-term investments into the country's economy if they feel secure in their power. Biden finally ready to shift into campaign mode | The Hill A dictatorship is a form of government in which most or all authority of the country is in the hands of a single individual; the leader. Indeed, the constitutions of some Western democracies explicitly provide for the grant of emergency powers to the executive in a time of crisis to protect the constitutional order. Think back to what you have previously learned about history. In personalist dictatorships, the elite corps are usually made up of close friends or family members of the dictator, who typically handpicks these individuals to serve their posts. Benefits of Dictatorship. [75] Lenin was followed by Joseph Stalin in 1924, who consolidated total power and implemented totalitarian rule by 1929. [98], During World War II, many countries of Central and Eastern Europe had been occupied by the Soviet Union. Fascism, in its National Socialist form, was primarily a counterrevolutionary movement that mobilized middle- and lower middle-class groups to pursue nationalistic and militaristic goals and whose sole principle of organization was obedience to the Fhrer. [6], The opposition to a dictatorship represents all of the factions that are not part of the dictatorship and anyone that does not support the regime. Dictators are incentivized to avoid the use of violence once a reputation of violence is established, as it damages the dictatorship's other institutions and poses a threat to the dictator's rule should government forces become disloyal. Kim Jong-un is currently the Supreme Leader of North Korea. [135] Elections are also used to control elites within the dictatorship by requiring them to compete with one another and incentivizing them to build support with the populace, allowing the most popular and most competent elites to be promoted in the regime. Dictators make unilateral decisions that affect their countries without having to consult any other branch of government. Many are noted for their cruelty, while others are honored as national heroes. [99] A 1953 coup overseen by the American and British governments restored Mohammad Reza Pahlavi as the absolute monarch of Iran, who in turn was overthrown during the Iranian Revolution of 1979 that established Ruhollah Khomeini as the Supreme Leader of Iran under an Islamist government. I feel like its a lifeline. in Curriculum and Instruction from University of Phoenix. The dictatorships that resulted proved highly unstable, and few of the individual dictators were able to satisfy for long the demands of the different groups that supported their bids for power. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has inaugurated Turkey's first nuclear power plant via video link in his first public appearance since falling ill on live TV Tuesday night. - Definition & Process, What is Neuroeconomics? In other new countries, the armies seized power, and military dictatorships were established. In modern times, it's not unusual to hear news stories about dictators being elected by their citizens, when in fact the elections are manipulated through intimidation of voters to ensure the dictator's victory. Foreign Minister Eli Cohen arrives at a government . [15] If the dictator has not seized power through a political party, then a party may be formed as a mechanism to reward supporters and to concentrate power in the hands of political allies instead of militant allies. What is a Dictatorship? Examples and Characteristics - Study.com They may be military officers, party members, or friends and family of the dictator. Show question . Government type - The World Factbook - CIA Economies based on natural resources allow dictators more power, as they can easily extract rents without strengthening or cooperating with other institutions. [3] Elites must also compete to wield more power than one another, but the amount of power held by elites also depends on their unity. On average, they last twice as long as military dictatorships, but not as long as one-party dictatorships. Absolute monarchs (kings) are another type of ruler with unlimited power. However, his presidency came under dispute in 2019. Iraq, Israel, Lebanon, and Palestine are the only democratic nations in the region, with Israel being the only nation in this region that affords broad political liberties to its citizens. [52], Dictatorship is historically associated with the Ancient Greek concept of tyranny, and several ancient Greek rulers have been described as "tyrants" that are comparable to modern dictators. Political system - Dictatorship | Britannica Governments classified by mode of succession, Succession by constitutional prescription, Governments classified by stage of development, Protection of political and social rights, Development and change in political systems. As you start to memorize this lesson's details, you'll grow in your ability to: To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. Organized opposition is a threat to the stability of a dictatorship, as it seeks to undermine public support for the dictator and calls for regime change. Speaking on May Day, he said, "Today our working-class . Dictatorships are authoritarian or totalitarian and they can be classified as military dictatorships, one-party dictatorships, personalist dictatorships, or absolute monarchies. The modern caudillo proved to be less a provincial leader than a national one. Even as he tightens his grip on power the end is visible. Industrialization produces new, differentiated elites that replace the small leadership groupings that once controlled social, economic, and political power in the society. With constitutional democracy, it is one of the two chief forms of government in use today. [140] Dictatorships may hold semi-competitive elections to qualify for foreign aid, to demonstrate a dictator's control over the government, or to incentivize the party to expand its information-gathering capacity, particularly at the local level. [128] A dictator may negotiate the end of a regime if it has lost legitimacy or if a violent removal seems likely. [78], At the same time, nationalist movements grew throughout Europe. Modern dictators, however, resemble ancient tyrants rather than ancient dictators. During this time, the country was ruled by a military junta headed by General Augusto . [8], Totalitarianism is a variation of dictatorship characterized by the presence of a single political party and more specifically, by a powerful leader who imposes personal and political prominence. [20][21] They are most common in developing nations in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. [26], A dictatorship may fall because of a military coup, foreign intervention, negotiation, or popular revolution. Direct Democracy Examples in World History | Pros & Cons, What is Constitutional Monarchy? Elites are also the primary political threats of a dictator, as they can leverage their power to influence or overthrow the dictatorship. Try refreshing the page, or contact customer support. These dictators may view themselves as impartial in their oversight of a country due to their nonpartisan status, and they may view themselves as "guardians of the state". The 69-year-old leader, who has sought to dispel concerns about his health weeks before a crucial election, has canceled several campaign stops. [56] At least 85 such dictators were chosen over the course of the Roman Republic, the last of which was chosen to wage the Second Punic War. [17] Between 1946 and 2010, 42% of dictatorships began by overthrowing a different dictatorship, and 26% began after achieving independence from a foreign government. They differ from other forms of dictatorships in that the dictator has greater access to key political positions and the government's treasury, and they are more commonly subject to the discretion of the dictator. 279 lessons. Freedom House, the Polity data series, and the Democracy-Dictatorship Index are three of the most used data series by political scientists. Dictatorship. The famous 19th-century caudillosAntonio Lpez de Santa Anna of Mexico or Juan Manuel de Rosas of Argentina, for examplewere thus essentially provincial leaders who seized control of the national government to maintain the social and economic power of provincial groups. In cases such as the late Kim Jong-il in North Korea, the ruler is even worshiped as a god. [67] In Europe it was often thought of in terms of Bonapartism and Caesarism, with the former describing the military rule of Napoleon and the latter describing the imperial rule of Napoleon III in the vein of Julius Caesar. The people do not have any choice with regards to by whom or how their country will be run. [141], In a dictatorship, violence is used to coerce or repress all opposition to the dictator's rule, and the strength of a dictatorship depends on its use of violence. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. The crucial elements of both were the identification of the state with the single mass party and of the party with its charismatic leader, the use of an official ideology to legitimize and maintain the regime, the employment of a terroristic police force and a controlled press, and the application of all the means of modern science and technology to control the economy and individual behaviour. He began his rule in 2011 and has been the leader of the Workers' Party of Korea since 2012. To enact policy, a dictator must either appease the regime's elites or attempt to replace them. [129] Revolution takes place when the opposition group grows large enough that elites in the regime cannot suppress it or choose not to. The dictator maintains control by influencing and appeasing the inner circle and repressing any opposition, which may include rival political parties, armed resistance, or disloyal members of the dictator's inner circle. [145], Van den Bosch, Jeroen J. J., Personalist Rule in Africa and Other World Regions, (London-New York: Routledge, 2021): 13-16, wave of left-wing revolutionary movements, List of countries by system of government, "Review: Totalitarianism, Social Science, and the Margins", "Generals, Dictators, and Kings: Authoritarian Regimes and Civil Conflict, 19732004", "Elites, Single Parties and Political Decision-making in Fascist-era Dictatorships", "Theories of dictatorships: sub-types and explanations", "Personalization of Power and Repression in Dictatorships", "The Tyranny of Dictatorship: When the Greek Tyrant Met the Roman Dictator", "The Five Ancient Criteria of Democracy: The Apotheosis of Equality", "When was the title Dictator perpetuus given to Caesar? Such elites have typically exercised power to maintain the economic and political status quo. The figure who embodies this dictatorship is obviously the dictator and this always represents the maximum hierarchy and authority for all things related to the development of a society. Preference falsification, Internal politics, data scarcity, and restriction of media are just a few examples of the dangers of a personalistic authoritarian regime. In the Aristotelian classification of government, there were two forms of rule by the few: aristocracy and its debased form, oligarchy. [54], Asia saw several military dictatorships during the post-classical era. The term "dictatorship" comes from the Latin word "dictator." During times of domestic or foreign crisis, even most constitutional governments have conferred emergency powers on the chief executive, and in some notable cases this provided the opportunity for duly elected leaders to overthrow democracy and rule dictatorially thereafter.