Part of Speech

Noun

Pronunciation

/dɪkˈteɪtəˌʃɪp/

Definitions

• Dictatorship (noun): A form of government in which a country is ruled by a single person or a small group of people who have absolute power, typically without being elected and often by force.
• Dictatorship (noun): The rule or authority of a dictator; a system of government where power is centralized in one leader or a select group.

Usage Examples

• "The country suffered under a brutal dictatorship for decades."
• "During his reign, the dictatorship crushed any form of opposition."
• "The government declared a dictatorship after the national crisis."

Etymology

From the Latin "dictator," meaning "a person who pronounces a decree," derived from the verb "dicere," meaning "to speak" or "to say." The term "dictatorship" emerged in the early 19th century to describe the rule of an absolute authority, particularly in the context of political systems where power is seized or held unilaterally.

Synonyms

• Autocracy
• Despotism
• Tyranny
• Authoritarianism
• Totalitarianism

Antonyms

• Democracy
• Republic
• Freedom
• Self-governance
• Pluralism

Translations

Regional Pronunciation Variations

• In American English, the pronunciation is /dɪkˈteɪtəˌʃɪp/ with emphasis on the second syllable.
• In British English, it is pronounced similarly but with a slight variation in stress: /ˈdɪktəˌtɔːrɪʃɪp/.

Historical Usage

The term "dictatorship" has its roots in ancient Rome, where a dictator was a magistrate appointed during times of national crisis to assume supreme power temporarily. Over the centuries, the term evolved to denote any government where one person or a small group holds absolute power, often acquired through force or undemocratic means.

Cultural Nuances

In modern times, the term "dictatorship" is often used pejoratively, associated with oppression, authoritarian rule, and the absence of democratic processes. However, in some historical and political contexts, dictatorships have been viewed as necessary during periods of war or unrest, when strong, centralized control was believed to be essential for survival.

More Information

Dictatorship refers to a political system in which a single individual or a small group holds absolute power, often achieved without the consent of the governed. In a dictatorship, the leader or ruling party typically does not allow opposition or dissent, and there may be widespread censorship, surveillance, and repression of civil liberties. Dictatorships can take various forms, ranging from military regimes to autocratic monarchies. While some dictatorships arise from revolutionary movements or wartime necessity, others are established through manipulation, coercion, or hereditary rule. The lack of checks and balances in a dictatorship often leads to corruption, human rights abuses, and the suppression of freedoms.