Authoritarian: IGCSE History Definition

What is authoritarian?

In IGCSE History, an authoritarian government is controlled by one leader or a small group that holds all the power. It has little or no democracy. 

Authoritarianism contrasts with democracy as people often have few rights, and opposition is not allowed. Free speech, the press, and political freedoms are usually restricted, and leaders may use propaganda, censorship, or force to stay in control. Examples include Nazi Germany under Adolf Hitler and the Soviet Union under Joseph Stalin. 

In Nazi Germany (1933–1945), Adolf Hitler ruled as a dictator, banning opposition parties and controlling the media through Joseph Goebbels' Ministry of Propaganda. The Gestapo (secret police) arrested or killed critics, while strict censorship ensured only Nazi-approved ideas were spread.

Similarly, in the Soviet Union under Joseph Stalin (1924–1953), the Communist Party controlled every aspect of life. Stalin used purges, labour camps (Gulags), and show trials to remove enemies. The state-controlled the press, education, and even art, ensuring loyalty to Stalin’s rule.

Both leaders created one-party states where fear and control replaced political freedom.

Authoritarian Revision Resources to Ace Your Exams

Explore our revision notes and resources for Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE History and Edexcel IGCSE History to see where authoritarian fit into the revision notes for those specifications.

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