What is Authoritarianism? By Andrew O. Eze

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AUTHORITARIANISM

   This is a system of government in which there is only one supreme ruler who controls all aspects of the lives of the citizens. The ruler is supreme at the expense of the laws and people. The supreme leader always claims monopoly of knowledge over other persons. Under this system of administration oppositions, human rights, justice, are barely pronounced, fairness, equity are denied or bought and sold to the highest bidders.

     The following were examples of notable authoritarian leaders: Mohammed Shah of Iran, Sani Abacha of Nigeria, Adolf Hitler of Germany, Benito Mussolini of Italy, Mobutu  Sese Seko of Zaire (DR Congo), Idi Amin of Uganda and so forth, are called authoritarian leaders.  (See, Totalitarianism)

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