An autocracy is a system of government in which one person or a small group holds unlimited power, with few or no effective checks from elections, courts or a free press.
Historical proponents:Thomas Hobbes, Han Feizi, Joseph de MaistreIn some circumstances, can serve a country better than democracy.
Nothing is sent anywhere.
In an autocracy, those in power are not accountable to the governed in any meaningful way. Autocrats can be hereditary monarchs, military rulers, single-party leaders or personal rulers. Many hold elections or keep a parliament, but these do not threaten their hold on power.
Political scientists distinguish between closed autocracies and “electoral” or hybrid regimes that hold managed elections. Autocracies are usually contrasted with democracies, where power is limited by competitive elections, independent courts and civil liberties. Where a country sits on this spectrum is measured by indexes such as V-Dem, Freedom House and the EIU Democracy Index.
Influential figures in the 12 axes thinker pool who advocated, analyzed or shaped ideas around this concept.
Philosopher of sovereignty · 1588–1679
He placed peace and protection at the center of political life, arguing that a common sovereign authority was necessary to prevent civil conflict.
“An absolute sovereign, with monarchy preferred though not logically required.”
Legalist philosopher · c. 280–233 BC
A prince of Han who argued that a ruler should govern through fixed laws, rewards and punishments applied by officials, not through virtue or hereditary privilege.
“The ruler must keep the “two handles” of reward and punishment to himself, and ministers’ advice is treated as a threat to him.”
Counter-revolutionary philosopher · 1753–1821
A Savoyard diplomat who answered the French Revolution by defending hereditary monarchy, papal authority and tradition as the only secure basis of order.
“Considerations on France and Of the Pope hold that sovereignty must be absolute and unaccountable, and that monarchy suits it best.”
Real cases that people point to when they use the word.
Absolute monarchies, such as Saudi Arabia and Brunei, in which the ruler holds ultimate authority.
One-party states, such as North Korea and Vietnam, in which a single party controls politics.
Military governments that take power by coup and rule without competitive elections.
Reasonable people disagree about this. These are the strongest points made on each side.
The test asks about it in a statement. Your answer moves one axis score.
Agreeing with statements that favor a strong leader or limits on opposition moves your score toward the Autocratic side of the Democratic vs Autocratic axis. Agreeing with statements about equal votes, independent courts and a free press moves it toward the Democratic side.
Which way agreeing pushes the score
Agreeing with a statement about autocracy moves your score toward Autocratic.
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Three statements gave you a first reading. The full test scores all twelve axes and finds your closest countries and ideologies.