Autocratic

Autocratic is an adjective describing systems, governments, or leadership styles in which sovereign authority is concentrated in a single person or a small group. The term derives from autocracy, from Greek autos 'self' and kratos 'power'.

In politics, an autocracy is a form of government in which supreme power is centralized and exercised by one individual or a narrow elite, often without constitutional constraints, broad electoral input, or robust separation of powers. Autocrats may rule by decree and limit opposition or independent institutions.

In leadership and management, autocratic leadership is a style in which decisions are made by the leader with little or no input from others. While it can enable rapid decision-making, it can also suppress initiative, creativity, and accountability, and may provoke resistance or dissatisfaction among subordinates.

Historically, autocracy has appeared in monarchies, empires, and single-party regimes. Contemporary discussions distinguish autocratic tendencies from liberal democracies and from more constrained forms of governance where legal limits, elections, and civil liberties constrain authority. In practice, many governments exhibit hybrid or evolving forms that include elements of centralization alongside formal institutions.