How is a dictatorship defined?

A dictatorship is defined as a government controlled by a single leader or party. This form of governance is characterized by the concentration of power in the hands of one individual or a select group, often without the consent of the governed. Dictatorships typically bypass democratic processes, and the leader or ruling party exercises significant control over various aspects of civil life, including the media, the judiciary, and political opposition.

In contrast, a government ruled by multiple political parties or one that operates under a system of checks and balances emphasizes democratic principles where power is distributed and held accountable among different entities. A government in which the people elect representatives implies the existence of a democratic framework where leadership is determined through elections. Therefore, the hallmark of a dictatorship is the absence of such pluralism and accountability, underscoring its defining characteristic of control by a single authority.