The term "dictatorship" describes a form of government characterized by centralized power and limited political pluralism. In a dictatorship, a single leader or party typically makes decisions without significant input from the populace or opposition. This can result in a lack of civil liberties, where citizens have restricted freedom of speech, assembly, and press. Dictatorships often arise in contexts of political instability and may implement authoritarian measures to enforce control, undermining democratic principles and hindering the rule of law.