autocracy
C1Formal, academic, political
Definition
Meaning
A system of government where one person holds absolute power, unrestricted by law or other governing bodies.
By extension, any organisation, group, or family structure where power is concentrated in a single individual and dissent is not tolerated.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Refers primarily to the system itself, not the person (autocrat) or the behaviour (autocratic). Implies a complete absence of political pluralism.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Spelling is identical. Usage is equally prevalent in political discourse.
Connotations
Universally negative in democratic contexts, describing a repressive political system.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in American political science and media discourse due to historical focus on opposing tyranny.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[verb] + autocracy (e.g., establish, overthrow, resist)autocracy + [verb] (e.g., autocracy collapsed, autocracy flourishes)under + an/the + autocracyVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The company was run as a personal autocracy.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Metaphorically used to criticise a CEO or manager who makes all decisions without consultation.
Academic
Key term in political science, history, and sociology for classifying non-democratic regimes.
Everyday
Used in news and political discussion to describe oppressive governments.
Technical
In political theory, a specific subtype of non-democratic regime distinct from oligarchy or totalitarianism.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adverb
British English
- The owner ruled the firm autocratically for decades.
American English
- The coach autocratically controlled every aspect of the team's schedule.
adjective
British English
- The board's autocratic style caused several resignations.
American English
- His autocratic management led to high employee turnover.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- A king with all the power is an autocracy.
- The country moved from democracy to autocracy after the coup.
- Historians argue that the Roman Empire, under certain emperors, functioned as a military autocracy.
- The erosion of judicial independence is often the first step towards a consolidated autocracy.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: AUTO (self) + CRACY (rule) -> rule by one self. Like an autopilot flies the plane alone, an autocracy is ruled by one alone.
Conceptual Metaphor
GOVERNMENT IS A MACHINE / GOVERNMENT IS A PERSON. An autocracy is a machine with a single control lever / a person who refuses to listen.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не путать с 'автократией' (точный перевод) и 'авторитаризмом' (более широкое понятие). 'Самодержавие' — исторически точный перевод для царского периода.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'autocracy' to refer to a person (correct: 'autocrat').
- Confusing with 'bureaucracy' (rule by officials).
- Misspelling as 'autocrasy'.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the closest antonym to 'autocracy'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are very close synonyms. 'Autocracy' emphasises the structure (rule by one), while 'dictatorship' often emphasises the means (force, lack of legality).
Yes, if the monarch holds absolute, unchecked power (e.g., an absolute monarchy). A constitutional monarchy, where the monarch's powers are limited by law, is not an autocracy.
Autocracy is about the concentration of power (one ruler). Totalitarianism is about the scope of control (the state seeks to control all aspects of public and private life). A regime can be both, but not all autocracies are totalitarian.
Almost never in modern English. It carries a strongly negative connotation, implying oppression and the denial of freedoms. Historical apologists for such systems might use it neutrally.
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