Group members:
Evon Tan Ka Vun
Regina Resa
Sharon Wong
Thecla Jospeh
A form of social control
characterised by strict obedience.
A form of government which
possesses the right to command
others.
DEFINITIONS
A government which controls the
society through mass organisations
and repressive system.
The people are submissive. They
have no right to speak and they
have no freedom.
Political
power
is
concentrated in a leader or
leaders.
There
is
not
tolerance.
There is repressive system and
mass organisations to control the
society.
Characteristics of an
authoritarian state
Governments is ruled by men.
The elections are rigged.
There is an attempt to control
on virtually all elements of
society.
•
Elements of the Authoritarianism personality type
according to Adorno’s theory.
Respect for
submission
to
acknowledg
e authority.
Belief in
aggression
toward
those who
disobey.
A belief in simple
answers and
polemics. Eg. The
media controls us
all.
A negative
view of
people in
general.
Requires
unquestioning
obedience
from
the
ruled.
Resistance
to
creative,
dangerous
ideas.
A need for strong
leadership which
displays
uncompromising
power
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Authoritarian submission
Authoritarian aggression
Rigid thinking, superstition and stereotypy
Power and toughness
Destructiveness
 Absolute
monarchies
are
always
authoritarian. For instance, critisizing the
royal government of France under the
“ancien regime” could get writers ecetra
imprisoned by executive order.
 Communist
states, Dictatorships,
Fascist
nations, Despotisms are often authoritarian.
 Fascist
nations require strong leadership,
singular collective identity, and the will
and ability to commit violence to keep
the nation strong . Despotisms is defined
as rule by or as if by a despot; absolute
power or authority.
Authoritarianism
Totalitarianism
Charisma
Low
High
Role conception
Leader as function
Ends of power
Leader as
individual
Private
Corruption
High
Low
Official ideology
No
Yes
Limited pluralism
Yes
No
Legitimacy
No
Yes
Public
Authoritarianism
Totalitarianism
The government enforces what it The government controls nearly
thinks it right. It requires more every aspect of the individual’s
obedience.
life.
An authoritarian government uses Totalitarian regimes are more
repressive actions to stay in repressive of
pluralism
and
power.
political rights.
Authoritarian governments
be to be conservative.
tend Totalitarian governments tend to
be revolutionary and want to
change the structure of society.
AUTHORITARIANISM
TOTALITARIANISM
The government tends to give a A term used to summarize the
great deal of power to law characteristics of groups to make
enforcement agencies.
entire populations be support of
the state and its goals.
The authoritarian idea is weaker. Totalitarians often profess to be at
Some people can remain relatively loss in argument. They confess to
free in an authoritarian society.
incomprehension to objections
made to their demands. E.g. How
can you not help us save the poor?
 According
to Hacker (in Hole 1998), the
authoritarian
character
lacks
insight,
reflection, speculation and fantasy, desires
“powerful leaders”, is obedient and respects
authorities. Hacker lists the following
characteristic traits of this personality
structure:
conventionality,
authoritative
submissiveness, drive for power, robustness,
destructiveness and projectivity.
 http://www.cepsr.com/clanek.php?ID=328
 Guatemala
after 1954
 Cuba in the 1950's under Bautista
 Iran under the Shah in 1952
 Zaire under Mobutu
 the Philippines under Marcos
 Indonesia in 1968 under Suharto
 South Korea under Syngman Rhee
 the entire history of South Vietnam
 Central America from the 1930's to the
1980's.
The official ideology is Rukunegra promotion the belief
in God and loyalty to King and Nations.
 It upholds the constitution, democracy, diverse
cultural traditions, the rule of law, morality and
guarantees the rights of free speech, assembly and
association.

After Second War World, the British colonial domination in Malaysia
ended.
Malaysian parties are also highly centralized for democratic
participation using authoritarian methods to maximize power.
The country does not guarantee freedom in constitutions, using legal
restrictions and state ownerships of communications media to secure
media compliance.