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An '''autocracy''' is a system of government in which one individual holds all state power.  

An '''autocracy''' is a system of [[government]] in which one individual holds all [[state]] [[power]]. The [[ruler]], or autocrat, makes and enforces the [[law]]s, and the people have little or no say in the direction of [[policy]].

They are often characterized by long, uninterrupted reigns of power and are always characterized by an utter lack of [[checks and balances]] in government. The [[communist]] governments of [[Cuba]], [[North Korea]], and [[Venezuela]] can be considered to be run by autocrats. These leaders falsely claim to rule in the name of the people, but do not operate in a [[democracy]] and actually wield great power over individuals.

They are often characterized by long, uninterrupted reigns of power and are always characterized by an utter lack of [[checks and balances]] in government. The [[communist]] governments of [[Cuba]], [[North Korea]], and [[Venezuela]] can be considered to be run by autocrats. These leaders falsely claim to rule in the name of the people, but do not operate in a [[democracy]] and actually wield great power over individuals.

The United States has many checks to prevent autocracy, including [[democratic]] elections, [[Constitutional]] rule, and division of power between [[three branches of government]]. A president can pass executive orders, but the ability to pass [[legislation]] is divided among 100 Senators and 435 representatives, and judicial power is divided among 9 justices of the [[Supreme Court]]. An unpopular president can be voted out of office by the people, and as long as the [[Constitution]] is faithfully upheld state and local governments will still have their own authority within the state.

The [[United States]] has many checks to prevent autocracy, including [[democratic]] elections, [[Constitutional]] rule, and division of power between [[three branches of government]]. A [[president]] can pass [[executive]] orders, but the ability to pass [[legislation]] is divided among 100 [[Senator]]s and 435 [[representative]]s, and [[judicial]] power is divided among 9 justices of the [[Supreme Court]]. An unpopular president can be voted out of office by the people, and as long as the [[Constitution]] is faithfully upheld state and local governments will still have their own authority within the state.

==See also==

==See also==