semiauthoritarian

Semiauthoritarian is a term used in political science to describe regimes that are neither fully democratic nor fully authoritarian. In semiauthoritarian systems, formal political institutions such as elections, a legislature, and a constitution exist, but the ruling authority retains dominant power and exercises control that limits genuine political competition and civil liberties. The regime can present itself as legitimate and orderly, while core freedoms and opposition activities are restricted in practice.

Typical characteristics include a strong or highly influential executive, limited or manipulated political competition, and the suppression of dissent through legal or extralegal means. Elections may occur, but they are often characterized by restricted opposition access, biased media coverage, and uneven playing fields that favor the incumbent. The judiciary and security services may be subject to political influence, reducing checks on power. Civil society and independent media are often constrained or co-opted, and policy continuity is pursued through patronage, centralization, and control of information.

Semiauthoritarianism is commonly discussed in relation to other regimes on a spectrum between democracy and authoritarianism. It differs from liberal democracies in that meaningful political rights and civil liberties are not fully protected, while it differs from outright authoritarianism in that some formal democratic procedures exist. The term is debated and not uniformly defined; some scholars use it interchangeably with other concepts such as hybrid regimes, illiberal democracies, or competitive authoritarianism.