Authoritarian governance entails a system where power is concentrated in the hands of a single leader or a small group, often characterized by limited political freedoms and minimal public participation. In such regimes, the government exercises strict control over many aspects of life, including media, civil society, and political opposition. Autocratic leaders may maintain power through repression, censorship, and the manipulation of laws. The absence of free and fair elections is typical, along with the suppression of dissent. This governance style often leads to human rights violations and fosters a culture of fear.