What is autocracy?

Answer 1

self- governing. many churches are autocratic- they have no denominational headquarters

Answer 2

An autocracy is a form of government in which the political power is held by a single individual.

The term autocrat is derived from the Greek word autokratôr (lit. "self-ruler", "ruler of one's self"). Compare with oligarchy (rule by a minority, by a small group) and democracy (rule by the majority, by the people).

Today it is usually seen as synonymous with despot, tyrant and/or dictator, though each of these terms originally had a separate and distinct meaning (see their respective articles).

Autocracy is not synonymous with totalitarianism, as this concept was precisely forged to distinguish modern regimes that appeared in the 1930s from traditional dictatorships. It also isn't synonymous with military dictatorship, as these often take the form of "collective presidencies" (see the South-American juntas). However, an autocracy may be totalitarian or be a military dictatorship.

The term monarchy differs in that it emphasizes the hereditary characteristic. The actual power of the monarch may be limited. Historically, many monarchs ruled autocratically but eventually their power was diminished and dissolved with the introduction of constitutions giving the people the power to make decisions for themselves through elected bodies of government.

The autocrat needs some kind of power structure to rule. Only a boss of a street gang or a barbarian chieftain can truly rule with only his personal charisma and his fighting skills. Most historical autocrats depended on their nobles, the military, the priesthood or others, who could turn against the ruler and depose or murder him. The true nature of a historical autocracy can be difficult to judge.

Answer 3

An autocracy is a form of government in which the political power is held by a single individual

Answer 4

Autocracy is about prescribing , inflicting or imposing any code of conduct, whimsically, without proper application of mind, logic or reasoning. Usually, it is one person who is vested with such authority (and it is therefore that it is mixed up with dictatorship.. the two are different ...) . The discretionary power can be misused due to autocracy.. this can happen even in a democratic set up where a person with the ultimate authority, vested with such powers , can behave in an autocratic way, till a consensus evolves to 'dethrone ' that person !

Answer 5

A political theory favoring unlimited authority by a single individual

Answer 6

Rule by one, like a dictatorship.

Answer 7

a type of government