What are some defining qualities of authoritarianism?
1. Limited political pluralism or outright rejection of political pluralism.
2. Lack of civil liberties
3. Lack of free, fair and competitive elections
4. So-called democratic institutions corrupted by authoritarian rule
5. Use of election tactics such as spreading misinformation, politicizing independent institutions, quashing dissent, engaging in culture wars, targeting vulnerable communities, stoking violence, and aggrandizing executive power.
6. Use of a strong central power to preserve the political status quo at the cost of basic democratic ideals such as the rule of law, separation of powers, and voting rights.