Autocracy is a system of government that is ruled or regulated by a single person, with absolute authority and power This type of government is noted for its lack of democratic process and for its tendency to be oppressive and dictatorial. Autocratic governments are often characterized by an authoritarian regime that is highly centralized and has complete control over political, economic and social matters.
Autocracies, while not always in the spotlight, have had a profound and lasting effect on the global landscape. A few examples of the most influential autocratic regimes of the modern era include:
1. Soviet Union Under Stalin: One of the most infamous examples of an autocratic government was the regime of Joseph Stalin in the Soviet Union. Stalin’s rule saw the abrogation of many civil liberties and the oppression of his people with a campaign of violence and terror. The Soviet Union under Stalin was closely controlled by the Communist Party, and his regime saw the forced collectivization of farms, the death of millions of people, and the creation of a totalitarian state.
2. Nazi Germany Under Hitler: Adolf Hitler was the leader of Nazi Germany from 1933 to 1945. His regime was responsible for initiating the Second World War, which ultimately led to the deaths of millions of people. Hitler used a combination of nationalism and racism to gain support from the German public, and his regime saw the elimination of democratic processes and the extermination of millions of Jews, Romani, and other minority groups.
3. North Korea Under Kim Jong-un: North Korea is currently ruled by Kim Jong-un, the son of Kim Jong-il and the grandson of Kim Il-sung. Under Kim Jong-un’s rule, North Korea has become one of the most oppressive and restrictive countries in the world. North Koreans are subjected to a strict form of censorship and control, and their movements outside the country are severely restricted.
4. China Under Mao Zedong: Mao Zedong was the leader of the People’s Republic of China from 1949 to 1976. Under Mao’s rule, the Chinese Communist Party was firmly in control of Chinese society and politics. The Chinese people were subjected to Mao’s extreme form of Communism, with millions of people being persecuted and killed for their perceived opposition to the regime. During his rule, Mao launched several major campaigns, such as the Hundred Flowers Campaign and the Great Leap Forward, with devastating consequences.
5. Cuba Under Fidel Castro: Fidel Castro was the leader of Cuba from 1959 to 2008. During his rule, he implemented a strict regime of Communism and authoritarianism that was based on a system of total state control. People who opposed or criticized the regime were subject to repression or death. Human rights abuses were widespread, and the Cuban people were subjected to severe economic hardship and food shortages.