What characterizes an authoritarian political system?

What characterizes an authoritarian political system?

• A. Power is widely distributed
• B. Power is concentrated in a small elite
• C. Power is shared among multiple parties
• D. Power is based on public consensus

Answer: (B)

An authoritarian political system is characterized by the concentration of power in a small elite, which typically means that a single leader or a small group maintains control over the state's authority and decision-making processes. In such systems, political pluralism is often restricted, and there are limited avenues for public participation in governance. This centralization results in diminished political freedoms, lack of transparency, and often suppresses dissent. In contrast, options that involve widely distributed power, sharing power among multiple parties, or power based on public consensus do not align with the principles of authoritarianism. These characteristics are more indicative of democratic or participatory governance models where political power is decentralized and distributed among various groups or stakeholders. The core essence of an authoritarian regime lies in the solid grip of power by a few rather than an inclusive or participatory approach to governance.

An authoritarian political system is characterized by the concentration of power in a small elite, which typically means that a single leader or a small group maintains control over the state's authority and decision-making processes. In such systems, political pluralism is often restricted, and there are limited avenues for public participation in governance. This centralization results in diminished political freedoms, lack of transparency, and often suppresses dissent.

In contrast, options that involve widely distributed power, sharing power among multiple parties, or power based on public consensus do not align with the principles of authoritarianism. These characteristics are more indicative of democratic or participatory governance models where political power is decentralized and distributed among various groups or stakeholders. The core essence of an authoritarian regime lies in the solid grip of power by a few rather than an inclusive or participatory approach to governance.