PoliticsJuly 13, 2026

autocracy

/ɔːˈtɒk.rə.si/

Definition

A system of government where supreme power is concentrated in the hands of one person, whose decisions are not subject to external legal restraints or regular mechanisms of popular control.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek words 'autos' (self) and 'kratos' (power or rule), the term entered English in the 17th century to describe absolute monarchs who possessed total authority.

In the news

The article uses the term to describe the anticipated governing style of a second Trump term, contrasting it with the democratic norms that the author argues Democrats are too hesitant to aggressively defend.

When Will Democrats Learn the Importance of a Good Fight, Not Just a Good Policy?

Read the full article ↗

Zeteo | Substack

Related words

Learn a word like this every day

Meet one new word every morning.

Newspoken pulls one carefully chosen word from the day’s news — with a clear definition, context, and light review that makes it stick. Get it on your phone.

Not for marketing. One email on launch day.