A government ruled by a single leader with absolute power is referred to as a dictatorship. In a dictatorship, the ruler has significant control over all aspects of political life, often coming to power through undemocratic means such as force or political maneuvering. Dictatorships may involve repression of political opposition, censorship of the media, and limited civil liberties. Unlike democracies where leaders are elected, dictatorships centralize authority in one individual or a small group, resulting in a political system where dissent is often punishable, and the rule of law is circumvented to maintain control.