Authoritarianism is a political system characterized by the rejection of democracy, civil liberties, and political plurality. It involves the use of strong central power to preserve the political status quo, and reductions in the rule of law, separation of powers, and democratic voting. Political scientists have created many typologies describing variations of authoritarian forms of government. Authoritarian regimes may be either autocratic or oligarchic and may be based upon the rule of a party or the military. States that have a blurred boundary between democracy and authoritarianism have some times been characterized as "hybrid democracies", "hybrid regimes" or "competitive authoritarian" states.

सत्तावाद वह दृष्टिकोण है जिसमें सत्तारूढ़ दल या विचारधारा को आप्त मानकर आस्थापूर्वक उसके निर्देशों का पालन किया जाता है, उन पर कोई प्रश्नचिह्न नहीं लगाया जाता।