Autocratic Political System, Definition, Factors and Characteristics

Mudabicara.com_ The autocratic political system is one of the existing political systems in the world. This political system has ways and characteristics that are different from other political systems.

Many countries experience ups and downs in adopting political systems. Not infrequently some countries decide to change their political system . Previously using an autocratic political system, now using a democratic political system.

Now! So what exactly is the meaning of this autocratic political system, what are its types and characteristics and which countries use the system. For more details, see the following review of mudabicara.com :

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Understanding the Autocratic Political System

The word autocracy comes from the Greek words oto which means self and kratos which means to have government. The term autocracy or autocrator can literally mean a single ruler or self-rule.

Traditionally, the autocratic political system has several characteristics, among others, the government system is partly consensus and the government tends to be private.

In the process of leadership, the autocratic system only distributes orders to a small number of people under it. Because usually the leader of an autocratic system is a king or sultan.

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As a result, there is no opportunity for people outside the kingdom to replace the king’s decree because the autocratic system is based on tradition. The leader who has the right to replace the king must have a lineage from the previous king.

In the context of regulations or legislation this political system only involves a few elites. Regulations are only made by a small number of people close to power. This means that suggestions, criticisms and suggestions from the public are not taken into consideration.

From the description above, an autocratic political system is a political system or government whose leader is a king or sultan with full power without a term of office.

In this political system, the leader takes a distance from the people. The leader must appear perfect to maintain authority because he is a single player. As a consequence, people must obey and submit completely to the will of their leaders.

An autocrat always tries to influence society in full to follow what he is aspire to. People inevitably have to follow the orders of an autocrat without being able to argue. To disobey orders is to rebel and be ready to be punished.

Loyalty and loyalty of the people are important in this autocratic political system. The people must be ready with orders even with the prohibition of an autocrat.

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5 Factors of Autocratic Political System

There are five factors that influence the autocratic political system, namely, power relations, having a common identity, the common good, political economy relations, and power relations. For more, see the following review.

Power Relations

Power relations in an autocratic system are absolute. This is because a king has a symbolic role and personification of shared identity.

Power only dwells in the royal circle. The autocratic system makes government tend to be negative, personal and consensual.

Despite the fact that government practices are carried out by officials below. But the power relationship of a king is still very strong. How the personal qualities of a leader still color the way and style of leadership practice.

Have a Shared Identity

In an autocratic system, primordial factors become a tool for community unity in politics. Primordial factors can be in the form of race, ethnicity and even religion.

A leader in an autocratic system becomes a common symbol based on race, ethnicity or religion. Therefore, a leader in an autocratic system must have good offspring because they are a shared identity.

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Common Good

The common good here involves several things, namely individual political freedom, equality, material needs with moral needs and individualism and collectivism.

In the context of the autocratic system the equation is only in economic stratification. This system does not accommodate equal rights and degrees of fellow people.

On the other hand, politically, officials have political freedom and will, but individual political freedom is almost non-existent. Collectivism in this system tends to be based solely on kinship not on the spirit of individualism.

The inculcation of moral values ​​is more prominent than the spirit to meet material needs together. The people in this system have no chance to develop, they will still be workers for the royal masters.

Economic and Political Relations

There is a political and economic disparity between the rulers and the people. People are only positioned as assistants or laborers who only have energy.

The entire land became the production field of the ruler, both by the kingdom and by his subordinate officials. People can only follow the rules even though their economy is fragile and difficult because they have no other choice.

Legitimacy of Authority

The legitimacy of power in this system is obtained because he is a descendant of a previous king. People judge a king is a perfect figure both morally and morally. This means that leaders in this system have personal qualities that cannot be compared with others.

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Usually children descended from autocrats will make engineering to continue to maintain their legitimacy either through legends, myths and even certain social symbols.

Characteristics of an Autocratic Political System

As a political system, of course, an autocratic political system has several characteristics. Here are some characteristics of an autocratic political system that you need to know:

There is economic stratification, values ​​and morals

In this autocratic political system there are differences in economic treatment. Economic resources are only owned by the rulers so that the people only become the working class.

Even though a leader commits a crime, he will still have good values ​​and morals just because the narrative is that he is the ruler.

Power Based On Tradition And Heredity. 

A leader in this system is not elected by the people but based on heredity. A king’s son when his father dies will become the next king.

Hereditary selection is based on tradition and shared beliefs. Descendants are always believed to be the ideal figure to continue the next government.

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Individual Freedom Restraint

In this system the spirit of collectivism is high but in the sense of kinship collectivism. Community governance is still based on levels, both in terms of political position and financial strength.

People or officials subordinate to the king must obey and submit to the king’s orders. Individual freedom is not a priority but is more concerned with the interests of small groups of power.

Personal Leader 

A king has personal decisions, he does not need consideration and input in making decisions. Although there are considerations that are only advice. The final decision remains in the hands of the king.

As a result, the style and way of leadership in this system depends on the quality of thought and personality of a king.

There’s a Primordial Narrative 

The spirit of togetherness in governance is still based on the primordial spirit. Leaders must at least have the same ethnicity, race and even religion.

That is my explanation about the autocratic political system. Hopefully it can be a learning material for all of my friends.