Authoritarianism

The term authoritarianism refers to a type of social structure characterized by unquestioning obedience to authority. Used in the social sciences, this concept is particular to disciplines and fields such as international relations, history, political science, psychology, media and communication studies, sociology, and pedagogy. It may refer to a state, government, or social system; to a type of personality; to a theory of mass communication; or to a type of leadership of a group or organization. As it relates to surveillance, security, and privacy, authoritarian governments and regimes often utilize various surveillance tactics to maintain authoritarian control of their citizens. This entry first takes a brief look at how authoritarianism relates to various disciplines, followed by an in-depth examination of authoritarianism as a type of ...