Define and discuss an autocratic system of government - While most essays are likely to be critical of autocracies, discuss as well how it is that this form of government is and has been so prevalent in our world.

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Define and discuss an autocratic system of government. While most essays are likely to be critical of autocracies, discuss as well how it is that this form of government is and has been so prevalent in our world.

        Whilst the distinction of autocracy stands firmly up against its co-stars; -democracy, theocracy, monarchy and many others, the autocratic system of government has had the burden as well of standing up for itself from its many eye-brow raising critics. This happens arguably more so often than others simply because the prevailing qualities of autocracy are constantly being overshadowed by its apparent flaws and disapproval of political thinkers. As with the many other forms of government, the never ending debate of pros and cons seems endless, yet it is still evident that there is a strong sense that autocracy has no place in this day of age. There are many perspectives and angles as to why one state would choose one or the other as their form of rule because this directly relates to the countries’ history, social and economic growth. People do not have time to inspect these details thus having already developed a basic schema of thought with regards to autocracy. With dictatorships, or an autocratic government, the average person in our present society may only understand them as bad things. But it is in this view that I will attempt to give a clearer understanding of what autocracy is and how it is interpreted in its applications in comparison to other forms of government.

        There are many branches to the definition of autocracy. Terms such as tyranny and despotism are essentially similar. Dissecting ‘autocracy’ even further, you would also encounter authoritarianism and totalitarianism. But in essence, autocracy is invested in the interests of the countries’ ruler and not of those who are being ruled. The design of this top-down model displays how such dictatorship is being used to direct all the activities of the state in to being concentrated into the hands of one person whose decisions are subject to neither external legal restraints nor regularized mechanisms of popular sovereignty.  Thus, it reinforces their order in which it imposes their brand of reality, and brand of ‘truth’. As Dickerson would state that, “authoritarian regimes are political systems with limited, not responsible, political pluralism,” it simply supports the famed argument as to how little leverage there is given to the public for any form of political and social pluralism to exist and that shared interests or concerns regarding a particular issue are best handled by sole dictatorships.

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        With these strong political aspects being associated with autocracy, it should be noted that coercion and fear play a major role in these regimes to maintain its power. By enforcing limits towards the voice of the people, they not only can better assess their position in power but by doing so without strong conflicts of interests. From such restrictions, wouldn’t that only motivate a society to perhaps create an upheaval towards their current rule of government? By this, an overthrown government would certainly be in the making. But what commends the political strategists of the authoritarian government would be the ...

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