autocracy

This term describes a political structure characterized by the concentration of unlimited authority in a single individual. It carries a heavy connotation of rigidity and lack of democratic oversight, often evoking images of oppressive regimes or absolute monarchies where the ruler's will is law. While it describes a system of government, it also refers to the actual practice of wielding that power. It is distinct from an oligarchy, where power is shared among a small group, emphasizing instead the singular nature of the authority.