Authoritarianism: What is That and who is Authoritarian?

Authoritarian and right-wing movements are gaining strength around the world and more authoritarian governments are coming into power. Examples include Donald Trump in the USA, Narendra Modi in India, Giorgia Meloni in Italy and Javier Milei in Argentina. Is it appropriate to speak of an awakening of authoritarianism? Is democracy in crisis? What is authoritarianism? In this article, we explore these questions as well as innovative resistance movements around the world.

What is Authoritarianism?

In the background: Police. In the foreground: Protestor that was injured by the police.

The term authoritarianism doesn’t have a universal definition. We use it to collectively think about and describe various anti-democratic developments together. On the one hand, this refers to the state and its apparatuses: states allow less participation and become more dictatorial, their police spy on and oppress the population, and certain groups - e.g. migrants or dissidents - are denied fundamental rights. On the other hand, authoritarianism also describes "ideologies of inequality" that often underlie attacks on democracy, such as racism (external link, opens in a new window), sexism (external link, opens in a new window), nationalism, and so on. Authoritarianism is, therefore, a social, cultural, political and economic phenomenon. It is so successful today because it appeals to people's fears and insecurities, translating them into anger and hatred towards others. Authoritarianism is thus primarily effective on an emotional level, explaining why it cannot simply be rationalised away with better arguments.

How do we Currently see That?

Examples of Authoritarianism

“Trumpism”, “Populism” or “Authoritarianism”?

Donald Trump, Narendra Modi and Javier Milei sind zu sehen vor versorbenem Aktivist. "RIP CHOW TSZ-LOK"

Terms such as "populism", "right-wing extremism", "Trumpism" and many others are used to describe these developments. While they can be helpful in characterizing certain aspects, they also have the disadvantage of obscuring the similarities and connections of the global shift to the right. To better understand different but interrelated developments, we can use the term authoritarianism.

Democracy and Authoritarianism

Police brutallity during a demonstration with skyscrapers in the background.

Our understanding of authoritarianism goes beyond just being the opposite of liberal democracy. (Neo-)liberal democracies are based on principles such as free elections, human rights, and the separation of powers. However, these democracies have always had authoritarian elements, for example, by criminalizing certain groups and not applying human rights equally to all people, or by making many important decisions in an undemocratic way. In recent years, the undemocratic aspect has become increasingly widespread in many liberal democracies. This can be seen, for example, in the brutal disenfranchisement of migrants by the EU or the repression of opponents of the war on Gaza. None of this required far-right parties in power; the liberal parties themselves are becoming increasingly authoritarian.

One important reason for this is that neoliberal democracy is being questioned by many people around the world in the face of numerous crises (financial crisis of 2008, climate crisis, geopolitical crises, etc.). Due to these crises, fewer people can afford a good life, and therefore the increasingly unstable system must be maintained by force.

At the same time, many people are very insecure and frustrated - they don't know what the future holds and are puzzled by the world. The offer of authoritarian ideas is a promise of security: as a man, a white person, or a patriot, you have a place in the world and can direct your "anger" at the weaker. The spread of authoritarianism is therefore neither just a movement from above, i.e., a conspiracy of the elites, nor an "uprising from below".

What is Anti-Authoritarianism?

7.21 Be Water" Pictures of resistance in Hong Kong

But if facts and evidence cannot win against authoritarianism, what can anti-authoritarian resistance look like? Anti-authoritarianism must go beyond simple "defending of democracy" - because it is democracy that has led us to this point. It must offer other, more democratic and just ways of coexisting. It should re-energize and rekindle utopian ideals, thus fostering hope, not as a vague concept, but as a collectively developed and lived reality.

Concrete Resistance Against Authoritarianism

One way to find hope is to examine the instances of anti-authoritarian resistance portrayed on this map.

The anti-authoritarian actions depicted here share a common trait: they are disruptive. In doing so, they break through indifference and the withdrawal into the private sphere. They unveil what has been veiled. Whether through large murals, small stickers, or bare bodies, they remind the world that they exist and have a voice, and that there are alternative ways of living.

More Resistance Struggles

The examples on the world map are derived from the book: Beyond Molotovs – A visual Handbook of Anti-Authoritarian Strategies (external link, opens in a new window). The book contains many more examples of innovative resistance movements and their backgrounds! You can also download the book for free as a PDF here (external link, opens in a new window).

How are Anti-Authoritarian Struggles Being Waged Globally?

Anti-Authoritarian Crossword Puzzle

Using and Sharing!

Online article created by Pia Monroy Rodriguez. This article is based on the book: "Beyond Molotovs: A Visual Handbook of Anti-Authoritarian Strategies (external link, opens in a new window)" by IRGAC and the collective orangotango. The book is published under the terms of the Creative Commons licence CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons licence CC BY 4.0 (external link, opens in a new window)! Share, use or adapt the article for your educational work. Don't forget to republish it under the same conditions and mention L!NX and the authors!