autocracy
aw-TOK-ruh-see
/ɔːˈtɒk.rə.si/
A system of government by one person with absolute power.
Refers to the institutional system rather than the person (autocrat).
The story behind the word. Formed from Greek roots 'autos' and 'kratos'. The concept entered political science to distinguish single-ruler systems from aristocracies or democracies.
Word relationships
- monocracy: Monocracy is a rare technical synonym for government by a single person.
- democracy: Rule by the collective voting populace.
- oligarchy: Rule by a small group or class.
Commonly confused with
- oligarchy: Autocracy is rule by ONE person; oligarchy is rule by a FEW people.
Word family
- autocrat (noun): A ruler with absolute power.
- autocratic (adjective): Taking no account of other people's wishes or opinions.
Collocations
- absolute autocracy
- slide into autocracy
- rise of autocracy
Example sentences
- "The nation transitioned from an absolute autocracy into a parliamentary democracy over several decades." Political Theory
Memory hook
AUTO (single) + CRACY (system of rule). Single-person rule system.
When not to use
Do not use when power is split among a military junta or ruling board.
Fun facts
- Political research indexes like Polity IV track global shifts between democracy and autocracy on numerical scales.
Related words
Explore more words
authoritarian, totalitarian, oligarchy, theocracy, absolutism, sovereignty
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