The Dangers of Authoritarianism: Lessons from History and Contemporary Examples

The prospect that the nation might knowingly put back in power a man who cozies up to authoritarian leaders, tried to overturn the results of a free and fair election, and promises to be a dictator himself (if only, he says, for a day) has not only alarmed but baffled Democrats. How could voters in the United States, a country that styles itself as a paragon of democracy, let this happen? ~ Susan Milligan, "Why Some Americans Really Do Want an Authoritarian in Charge," The New Republic, July 18, 2024

In recent years, and particularly since the 2016 presidential election, there has been a growing use of rhetoric suggesting that the United States might benefit from a dictator-led authoritarian government. Conservative extremists have particularly expressed frustration with our democratic processes, citing inefficiency, political gridlock, and the perceived moral decay of society as reasons to consider such a system. However, the history of authoritarian regimes, something which few pay any attention to, is rife with horrors, oppression, and the stifling of individual freedoms. The allure of strong leadership often comes at an immense cost, as historical and contemporary examples make abundantly clear.

The Suppression of Freedom and Dissent

One of the most immediate consequences of authoritarian rule is the suppression of political dissent and freedom of expression. In dictatorships, criticism of the government is typically met with severe punishment. Historically, regimes like those of Nazi Germany, Soviet Russia, and Maoist China have ruthlessly silenced opposition through imprisonment, forced labor, torture, and executions. Freedom of speech, a core value in our American democratic society, is often the first casualty under authoritarianism. State-controlled, or at least heavily influenced media and propaganda become the norm, drowning out any alternative viewpoints and manipulating public perception to maintain control. We are witnessing some of this in the battle over freedom of speech versus censorship on social media.

In modern examples, we see similar patterns in countries like North Korea, where dissent is non-existent, and even the slightest criticism of the regime can lead to severe punishment. The same can be said to a growing extent in Vladimir Putin’s Russia, especially on matters concerning his invasion and ongoing war against Ukraine. Journalists, activists, and ordinary citizens live in constant fear of surveillance, arrest, or worse. This climate of fear and repression stifles creativity, innovation, and the natural discourse that fosters progress and societal growth.

We have already experienced an authoritarian-style leadership in the guise of the Southern oligarchy (thought of as the opposite of democracy, an oligarchy is a small group exercising power and control especially for corrupt and selfish purposes) before, during, and after the Civil War. This was evident in the oligarchy’s treatment of abolitionists, poor whites, and formerly enslaved African Americans during Reconstruction. This group of wealthy landowners formed what is often referred to as a "planter aristocracy." They dominated Southern politics, economics, and society. Even though there were democratic elections, political power remained in the hands of a small class of elites who had a vested interest in maintaining the system of slavery. This mirrors authoritarian systems where a small ruling class holds sway over the lives of the broader population.

Before the war, dissent against slavery was violently suppressed in the South. Abolitionists were silenced through intimidation, threats, and even lynching. Anti-slavery literature was banned, and people caught distributing it faced severe punishment. The oligarchs justified these actions by portraying slavery as essential to their way of life and the economic stability of the region, much as authoritarian regimes suppress dissent in the name of “national security” or “stability.”

After the Civil War, Southern elites regained control during the Reconstruction era by opposing reforms aimed at promoting racial equality. The rise of groups like the Ku Klux Klan, supported by Southern oligarchs, allowed them to terrorize African Americans and white allies who supported Reconstruction. By disenfranchising Black voters through Jim Crow laws, poll taxes, literacy tests, and violence, they effectively suppressed any political challenge to their authority, much like authoritarian regimes suppress opposition through rigged elections and political persecution. Similar structures and restrictions could easily be implemented by an authoritarian dictator today.

Control of Information and Education

In authoritarian regimes, control of the media and educational systems is essential to maintaining the status quo by ensuring that citizens are exposed only to information that supports the ruling elite’s narrative. The Southern oligarchy similarly controlled the flow of information and education in the South.

Before the Civil War, the Southern elite tightly controlled education and the press, preventing the spread of abolitionist ideas. Newspapers that advocated for emancipation or critiqued slavery were suppressed, and people were prosecuted for distributing anti-slavery literature. By controlling the information that was accessible to the general population, the Southern elite could maintain the illusion of a stable, just society.

After the Civil War, the Southern oligarchy worked to ensure that African Americans had limited access to education, believing that an educated Black population would challenge the social order. The establishment of segregated schools, poorly funded and resourced, was a deliberate tactic to keep African Americans in a subordinate economic and social position. This mirrors authoritarian tactics of controlling education and preventing the rise of intellectual opposition to the regime.

Around the world today, some of the most brutal regimes such as the Taliban and Iran limit education to males only, for the most part suppressing the right of girls and women to attend schools.

The Erosion of Human Rights

Human rights violations are a hallmark of authoritarian regimes. When power is concentrated in the hands of a dictator or a small elite, the rights of individuals are often disregarded. The institution of America’s Southern slavery itself was a form of authoritarianism. Enslaved people were subjected to complete control by their owners, denied any personal freedoms, and subjected to brutal physical punishment to enforce submission. This system of forced labor and oppression was central to maintaining the power and wealth of the Southern oligarchy.

In more recent history, authoritarian regimes have committed some of the most egregious crimes against humanity. The Holocaust under Adolf Hitler’s Nazi regime, the Gulags in Stalin’s Soviet Union, and the Cultural Revolution in China under Mao Zedong all serve as chilling reminders of the atrocities that can occur when human rights are abandoned in favor of state control.

Even today, we witness massive human rights abuses in authoritarian countries. In China, the Uyghur Muslim population has been subjected to mass internment, forced labor, and cultural erasure in what many human rights organizations have called genocide. In countries like Saudi Arabia and Russia, political opponents and activists are routinely imprisoned or assassinated. The concept of justice becomes entirely subjective, bending to the will of those in power rather than serving the people.

The Destruction of Democratic Institutions

One of the most significant risks of embracing authoritarianism is the dismantling of democratic institutions. The United States has long been governed by a system of checks and balances, which ensures that power is distributed among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government. These institutions are designed to prevent any one person or group from gaining too much control. However, in authoritarian systems, these checks and balances are quickly eroded or outright eliminated. 

For example, in Venezuela under Hugo Chávez and later Nicolás Maduro, democratic institutions were systematically dismantled. Independent courts were stacked with loyalists, the legislature was marginalized, and opposition leaders were imprisoned or forced into exile. What was once a promising democracy descended into a dictatorship that plunged the country into economic ruin, widespread corruption, and violence.

The weakening of democratic norms also erodes trust in elections. Leaders like Vladimir Putin in Russia and Alexander Lukashenko in Belarus have maintained their grip on power through manipulated elections, media control, and violent crackdowns on protesters. A shift towards authoritarianism in the U.S. could easily lead to similar outcomes, where elections become mere formalities, and political power is held indefinitely by a select few.

A scene from the 1956 film adaptation of “1984”;

The Centralization of Power and Corruption

Authoritarian regimes inherently concentrate power in the hands of a single leader or a small group of elites. This concentration of power breeds corruption, as there are few mechanisms for accountability. In regimes where leaders are unchecked, they often exploit their positions for personal gain, using state resources to enrich themselves and their inner circle.

Consider the case of Zimbabwe under Robert Mugabe. Once hailed as a liberator, Mugabe’s 37-year rule was marked by rampant corruption, economic collapse, and political repression. The same can be seen in regimes across the world, from Mobutu Sese Seko’s kleptocracy in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the oligarchs controlling much of Russia’s wealth under Putin’s rule.

In an authoritarian America, this centralization of power could lead to similar levels of corruption, where leaders prioritize their own wealth and status over the needs of the people. Without accountability, public services like healthcare, education, and infrastructure would likely deteriorate, while the elites continue to amass power and resources.

Economic Stagnation and Inequality

Authoritarian governments often lead to economic stagnation and inequality. While some dictatorships may initially promise economic stability or growth, the reality is often far bleaker. In many authoritarian states, the economy becomes dominated by cronyism, where only those with close ties to the regime benefit. This creates vast disparities in wealth and opportunity, while the general population suffers from poverty and lack of access to basic services.

The sharecropping and tenant farming systems that arose after our Civil War kept African Americans and poor whites in perpetual debt, ensuring that the oligarchs retained their economic dominance. In this way, the South’s elite mirrored authoritarian regimes that exploit the labor of the masses to maintain the wealth and power of a privileged few. Through a combination of laws, intimidation, and violence, the Southern oligarchy systematically disenfranchised African Americans and poor whites. By limiting access to the political process, the Southern elite ensured that they would remain in control of the region’s political and economic power, similar to how authoritarian regimes restrict voting rights and manipulate elections to retain power.

North Korea provides a stark example of this economic disparity. The ruling elite live in luxury while the vast majority of the population endures extreme poverty and famine. Even in wealthier authoritarian states, such as Saudi Arabia, economic inequality remains a significant issue. The vast oil wealth of the country is concentrated in the hands of the royal family, while many citizens struggle to make ends meet.

In the U.S., authoritarianism could exacerbate existing inequalities, with wealth and resources funneled toward those loyal to the regime while the majority are left behind. Without the protections provided by democratic institutions, social mobility and economic fairness would likely erode, leading to increased poverty and societal unrest.

Militarization and War

Historically, authoritarian regimes have often relied on militarization both to maintain internal control and to project power externally. Many authoritarian leaders justify their grip on power by invoking external threats, real or imagined, and ramping up military spending to solidify their rule. This militarization often leads to aggressive foreign policies and, in many cases, war.

The 20th century is filled with examples of authoritarian regimes leading their countries into catastrophic wars. Adolf Hitler’s aggressive expansionism led to the devastation of World War II, while the Soviet Union’s Cold War policies caused countless proxy wars and political conflicts around the globe. Even today, authoritarian regimes like Russia and China frequently engage in military posturing, creating instability in regions like Ukraine, Taiwan, and the South China Sea.

If the United States were to adopt an authoritarian model, the likelihood of increased militarization would be high. An authoritarian U.S. government could use the military to suppress domestic dissent and expand its influence globally, potentially leading to unnecessary conflicts and wars with devastating consequences.

Conclusion

...the guardrails that held Trump back in his first term would likely not suffice in a second. His party has been largely purged of people willing to oppose him openly. The president would have a cadre of loyalists who know this time, as one of our players said, “where the door handles are.” He would appoint few, if any, establishment figures like the ones who bottled up some of his authoritarian ideas in 2017. Resignation threats, which at the Justice Department partly deterred Trump in January 2021, seem less likely to do so again. Federal courts, increasingly partisan, are friendlier terrain for him now. ~ Barton Gellman, "How to Harden Our Defenses Against an Authoritarian President," Brennan Center for Justice, August 1, 2024

The desire for a strongman leader who can bypass the messiness of democratic governance may seem appealing to those frustrated with political gridlock or societal change. However, history teaches us that the cost of authoritarianism is immense. From the suppression of freedoms to the erosion of human rights, the destruction of democratic institutions, rampant corruption, and the potential for war, authoritarianism brings with it a host of horrors. As I pointed out, by maintaining racial and economic hierarchies through coercion, violence, and disenfranchisement, the Southern oligarchy created a system that, while not formally authoritarian, operated with many of the same oppressive mechanisms. This legacy continued to affect American society for decades, shaping the political, social, and economic structures of the South well into the 20th century. An authoritarian dictatorship embedded in our Constitution and laws would most certainly emulate this experience.

While no system of government is perfect, our American democratic experiment remains a safeguard against the very atrocities and oppression that authoritarianism inevitably brings. The dangers of embracing such a path cannot be overstated; to flirt with authoritarianism is to invite the collapse of the very freedoms and principles that define the United States.

Note: Limited assistance was provided by OpenAI ChatGPT 4o in researching and writing this essay.