noun · formal
authoritarianism
UK/ˌɔːθɒrɪˈteəriənɪzəm/US/ˌɔːθɔːrɪˈtɛriənɪzəm/au·thor·i·TEAR·i·an·ism
a political system or ideology in which power is concentrated in the hands of a ruler or a small group and political freedoms are limited
Examples
“Many Task 2 prompts ask students to weigh the risks of authoritarianism against the need for stability.”
“Authoritarian governments often limit freedom of speech.”
“Critics argue that authoritarianism stifles innovation and public debate.”
Band 8 sentence
“In contemporary debates about governance, authoritarianism is often criticised for prioritising order over individual rights, which has clear implications for long-term social development.”
Collocations
- authoritarian regime
- rise of authoritarianism
- resist authoritarianism
- authoritarian rule
Word family
Common mistakes
He is authoritarian→He is an authoritarian
The country moved towards authoritarian→The country moved towards authoritarianism
Authoritarianism is limit freedom→Authoritarianism limits freedom
Say it for a higher band
5dictatorship→6authoritarian rule→7+authoritarianism
Synonyms
dictatorship
autocracy
Easily confused
authoritarian
“People living under authoritarian regimes have limited political freedoms.”
Related words
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In -ism
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