What defines an authoritarian government?

An authoritarian government is characterized by the concentration of power in a single political entity, which can be a party, leader, or regime that holds absolute authority over the state. This form of government often limits political pluralism and civil liberties, restricting the participation of citizens in political processes. In such systems, the ruling entity exercises control over key aspects of governance, including law enforcement, media, and public discourse, ensuring that dissent and opposition are minimized or suppressed.

In contrast to systems where power is distributed among various political parties or where authority derives from democratic elections, an authoritarian regime centralizes authority and decision-making, often circumventing the democratic process. This creates a political environment where individual freedoms are limited, and the government exerts significant control over the lives of its citizens. Therefore, the defining feature of authoritarianism is the absolute power held by a single entity, which is reflected in the choice that was identified as correct.