The term for a government run by a single ruler is "autocracy." In an autocracy, power is concentrated in one individual, who makes decisions without needing consent from a legislative body or the populace. Autocratic rulers often maintain control through various means, including censorship, propaganda, and the suppression of dissent. This form of governance can manifest in various ways, such as absolute monarchies, dictatorship, or authoritarian regimes. While autocrats may claim to act in the interest of the nation, their rule often limits individual freedoms and democratic processes, leading to potential abuses of power and human rights violations.