Traditionally, in political science and jurisprudence it is customary to distinguish three types of state regimes: a democratic, totalitarian and authoritarian regime. The latter occupies an intermediate position between the first two. It is sometimes called transitional, but most researchers tend to believe that this species has the right to independent existence. Is it so?
Based on what modern states offer for research, one can state the following: an authoritarian regime is a special way of exercising power in a country in which all its fullness is concentrated in the hands of a certain person.
The presented definition is sometimes criticized. Some political scientists advise adding the phrase “or party” to what has already been said. They explain their position by the fact that the authoritarian regime is a combination of methods of exercising power in the country that are different from democratic methods and methods. This means that fascism and totalitarianism as extreme variants of the manifestation of authoritarianism can be included in this phenomenon. But this statement is controversial. Moreover, the basis for such a dispute are certain characteristics that distinguish an authoritarian regime.
Signs of it may look like this:
- The determining factor is that power in the state is exercised according to the will of one particular person. As you know, under fascism or totalitarianism, these rights are enjoyed by the party and its members.
- The principle of separation of powers is shown nominally, the bodies of the respective branches, as a rule, are represented by persons personally appointed by the “leader”.
- Legislative power is actually subordinate to the governing person. This situation can be ensured by a quantitative advantage in the legislative body of representatives of the party sympathizing with the ruler.
- Judicial power is legal, but not legitimate.
- Suffrage, both passive and active, is purely decorative.
- The method of state regulation is characterized by administrative coercion and regulation.
- Censorship is “soft” in nature; citizens retain the right to express their own opinion.
- The relationship "state - personality" has the character of subordination of the second to the first.
- The authoritarian regime is based on the formal declaration of the rights of an individual and / or citizen.
- Law enforcement agencies are subordinate only to the goals of a political leader.
As can be seen, the presented features characterize the authoritarian regime as a phenomenon of the dualistic order. Signs of democracy (to a lesser extent) and totalitarianism (to a greater extent) are present in the object under study. And the direction of transition from one state regime to another depends on how each of them is manifested.
There is a situation in which the establishment of an authoritarian regime is vital. As a rule, such a situation develops only in case of emergency situations, which may include: natural disasters of a lasting nature, man-made disasters and martial law. In this case, the legally elected head of state is forced to invest some aspects of the legislative and judicial branches of the executive branch. All this is explained by the need for prompt response to emergency calls.
But nevertheless, the examples cited differ in a limited period, after which a transition to the previously existing type of government should be carried out.
Therefore, returning to the question identified at the beginning, we can say that the authoritarian regime appears in two ways: temporary (when objective circumstances require it) and permanent (when the leader who comes to the office performs the above actions on purpose). Therefore, there can be no definite answer to the asked question.