When a government is described as "authoritarian", it indicates a system where power is concentrated in a single authority or dictator, often characterized by the restriction of civil liberties, limited political pluralism, and a lack of democratic processes. Citizens typically experience suppression of free speech, media censorship, and repression of political dissent. In such regimes, decisions are made unilaterally, and opposition parties are either severely weakened or banned. Authoritarianism prioritizes state control over individual freedoms, undermining democratic principles of participation and accountability.