An "authoritarian regime" refers to a political system characterized by the concentration of power in a single authority or a small group, often at the expense of democratic principles and individual freedoms. In such regimes, political opposition is typically suppressed, and dissent may be met with harsh responses. Authoritarian regimes often prioritize state control over civil liberties, limiting freedom of expression, assembly, and the press. Governance in these systems may rely on propaganda and coercion rather than on the consent of the governed.