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Autocracy
Although this word denotes a type of government in which all political power is wielded by a single individual, it also metaphorically encompasses an administration or organization that is run by one person who has effective control over decisions (etymogically, it derives from the Greek autokaratia, or ruling by one's self). This leadership and management style is in contrast to an oligarchy (where power is wielded by a strict set of persons) or a democracy (where power is primarily wielded by the people). Some of the 19th- and 20th-century business conglomerates or trusts were effectively controlled by one person in the same way as an autocracy. For more information, see Fredrich and Brzezinski (1965).
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