American democracy actually has autocratic roots.
The World Atlas reports that there are nearly 200 individual nations in the world. Each of these countries has its own form of government, some of which are autocracies. This form of government is different from a democratic rule, with which the American public is most familiar. There are very few true autocracies in the world because they are typically unstable and don't truly assist the members of a nation.
Definition
Autocracy is a form of government in which only one person governs. The people do not have representation in the government and the primarily political leader has complete authority to make all decisions for the country.
Misconceptions
Autocracy is not the same as totalitarianism. Totalitarianism is a kind of government in which an entire regime attempts to dictate what the members of society must do. For example, Germany acted as a totalitarian government in World War II, marketing and enforcing Nazi ideologies. By contrast, an autocratic, or authoritarian, government has only one person who attempts to dictate; this autocrat is not dependent on any one regime in order to rule or sustain power.
Autocratic Dissolution
Because it is logistically so difficult for an autocrat to handle all aspects of government, most "autocratic" governments eventually dissolve into oligarchies. Oligarchies are governments in which just a few people rule. Oligarchies still do not guarantee that the people of the nation are represented in the government. They merely allow a leader to delegate some of his responsibilities.
Related Terms
Despot, tyrant and dictator are terms people often use in a discussion of autocracy. All of these terms imply cruelty in rule and thus have negative connotations. These terms reveal a major problem with autocracy--although it theoretically is possible for a kind, just leader to lead a nation well in an autocratic government, autocratic leaders are able to do what they please, even if greed and pride lead their actions instead of fairness and compassion. As a result, the members of the public often view autocrats and autocracy negatively. For example, E.C. Ejiogu of Sahara Reporters, author of "The Perils of Autocracy," goes so far as to state that "no realm of life in society is spared in the decay that autocracy and tyranny inflict."
Developmental Impact
Autocratic rule means that the members of a nation essentially have no way of having their needs or concerns heard by the autocrat. Thus, the autocrat places his nation at risk for perpetuating any negative issue that the people have. There is little room for growth or development, and creativity becomes stifled because all change has to coincide with the wishes of the autocrat.
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