AUTHORITARIANISM AND IDEOLOGY: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF 20TH AND 21ST CENTURY DICTATORSHIPS

Abstract

This comparative study explores the evolution of authoritarianism and its ideological foundations from the 20th to the 21st century. Authoritarian regimes have historically emerged in response to social, economic, and political crises, employing various ideologies—such as fascism, communism, and nationalism—to justify their concentration of power and suppression of dissent. In the 20th century, notable examples include the fascist regimes in Italy and Germany, which relied on extreme nationalism and militarism, and the Soviet Union under Stalin, which embraced Marxist-Leninist ideology to legitimize its oppressive tactics. As we transition into the 21st century, authoritarianism has adapted to new global contexts, with contemporary regimes like China and Russia exhibiting hybrid ideological frameworks that combine traditional authoritarian principles with elements of capitalism and nationalism. These regimes utilize advanced technologies for surveillance and control, transforming methods of repression and presenting novel challenges to democratic movements.