What is the difference between democracy and authoritarian rule?

Yahoo

18 hours ago

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — As cities across the nation, including San Diego, prepare for this weekend's 'No Kings' protests, organizers and political analysts alike are drawing sharp comparisons between democratically elected leaders — like the President of the United States — and the rise of authoritarian figures around the world.
More than 1,500 protests are set to take place across the country on Saturday, June 14, 2025. They are part of a national movement aimed at reaffirming democratic principles and pushing back against what organizers describe as a growing fascination with autocratic leadership styles.
Not so ironically, the demonstrations fall on the same day of a planned military parade in Washington, D.C., which also coincides with President Trump's 79th birthday and the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary. Some have argued that the parade is not a good use of money, according to a recent AP-NORC poll. Nonetheless, the parade in the nation's capitol is set to continue.
Nationwide 'No Kings' protests set for this weekend, including across San Diego
Meanwhile, the protesters are targeting Trump administration policies, especially aggressive immigration enforcement following high-profile ICE raids like the one in San Diego's South Park. Additionally, tensions are heightened by the militarization of Los Angeles, with National Guard and Marine Corps deployments tied to protests and ICE support. Additionally, federal job cuts from recent executive orders have sparked backlash over job security and government efficiency.
With the planned protests highlighting the stark divide between governance styles, some have been left wondering: what exactly is the difference between democracy and authoritarian rule?
Democracies, like the U.S., operate on systems of checks and balances, where power is distributed among elected officials, independent courts, and a free press. In contrast, authoritarian regimes often consolidate power into the hands of a single ruler or small, elite opposition, limiting civil liberties and tightly controlling media narratives, as explained further in this academic journal: 'The Paradox of Information Control Under Authoritarianism.'
Though the U.S. President holds significant authority, their powers are constrained by the Constitution, Congress, the courts, and ultimately, the people through regular elections. This model sharply contrasts with authoritarian leaders who often stay in office through manipulated elections, constitutional changes, or outright force.
A 2019 Pew Research Center survey found that in countries where fewer people say democratic values—like fair courts, free speech, and equal rights—are important, more people tend to support having a strong leader or military rule instead of a democracy.
In a separate Pew Research Center survey from 2024, a median of 31% across 24 nations were supportive of authoritarian systems, with higher support in middle-income countries than high-income countries.
According to researchers, people on the ideological right are more likely than those in the center or on the left to support authoritarian systems — this is based on the results of the survey. As for the U.S., only 32% of respondents expressed that a strong leader or the military would be a good way of governing the country.
At the heart of the 'No Kings' protest, as explained by organizers, is a growing concern among critics that President Trump's political behavior mirrors that of authoritarian leaders — figures known for consolidating power, suppressing dissent, and undermining democratic norms.
On the other side, Trump and his supporters have dismissed these criticisms, arguing that he is simply fighting a corrupt establishment and using the tools available to him as an elected leader. They claim the accusations are politically motivated and meant to distract from policy issues. Another argument is that Trump has been elected by the people not once, but twice — a reflection of democracy through the voting system.
Meanwhile, political analysts have noted that while democratic presidents may be strong-willed or controversial, their power remains limited by design with the checks and balances system. Monarchy — a system of government in which a single person, typically a king or queen, reigns — ended in America with the Revolutionary War. This means there are no kings in governance of the U.S. — at least as it stands legally based on the Constitution.
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