What term describes a regime where the ruler holds absolute power without constitutional limits?

What term describes a regime where the ruler holds absolute power without constitutional limits?

• A. Autocracy
• B. Oligarchy
• C. Totalitarianism
• D. Democracy

Answer: (C)

Power without constitutional limits is totalitarianism. This describes a regime where the ruler or ruling party seeks to control not just politics, but nearly every aspect of society—economy, culture, media, and private life—often backed by a centralized security apparatus, censorship, and ideology-driven propaganda. The emphasis is on total control and the elimination of meaningful constraints on power, which sets it apart from an autocracy (rule by one with absolute power but not necessarily the goal of total societal control), an oligarchy (rule by a few), or democracy (rule by the people with legal limits and rights protections).

Power without constitutional limits is totalitarianism. This describes a regime where the ruler or ruling party seeks to control not just politics, but nearly every aspect of society—economy, culture, media, and private life—often backed by a centralized security apparatus, censorship, and ideology-driven propaganda. The emphasis is on total control and the elimination of meaningful constraints on power, which sets it apart from an autocracy (rule by one with absolute power but not necessarily the goal of total societal control), an oligarchy (rule by a few), or democracy (rule by the people with legal limits and rights protections).