Authoritarian rule involves the concentration of power in a small group that operates outside constitutional checks and balances. To do this, authoritarians erode trust in democratic institutions and demonize political opponents, scapegoat groups of people for economic problems and other social ills, and use populist rhetoric to gain support for their rule. They also create allegiance through a combination of ideological indoctrination and the creation of cultural identity. Finally, they use the state apparatus to stifle dissent and restrict civil liberties.
Authoritarians often come to power in contexts in which democratic institutions have become ossified or where elites are seen as too removed from the broader society. Once in power, they impose new rules that limit democracy’s capacity to address social problems. These restrictions typically include a loosening of electoral institutions, the use of referenda to dramatically extend a leader’s term in office, a rewriting of constitutional limits on executive power, the elimination of democratic oversight bodies, and a broad redefining of what counts as “legitimate” opposition.
In addition to rewriting the rules, authoritarians frequently spread disinformation with ruthless efficiency. This consists of both outright lies and carefully crafted spin — sometimes through sophisticated, coordinated networks, channels and ecosystems. These lies serve two purposes: they cripple political opponents by targeting invented false grievances and they obfuscate the abuses of their regime, shielding them from accountability by sowing doubt and confusion. Finally, authoritarians also use us-versus-them narratives to pit groups of people against one another, helping to weaken the ties that hold democratic societies together.