By Dr. Virginia Lacayo
Authoritarianism is often conjured as a caricature—a despotic leader commanding fear and compliance. However, this traditional lens is increasingly inadequate for addressing the nuanced, insidious ways authoritarianism permeates our world. It is no longer confined to regimes with iron-fisted rulers; it festers in economic inequality, algorithmic biases, cultural hegemony, and institutional inertia. January’s theme for The System Shaker’s Playbook, Redefining Authoritarianism, invites us to broaden our understanding of this concept, uncovering its systemic dimensions and empowering us to dismantle it at its roots.
From Oppressive Leaders to Oppressive Systems
At its core, authoritarianism is the centralization of power designed to enforce conformity and suppress dissent. Traditionally, we have recognized this in the figure of a singular leader—the dictator—but authoritarianism also thrives as a system. These systems are self-perpetuating networks of cultural norms, institutional practices, and structural inequities that collectively enforce control. Like a well-oiled machine, they operate through feedback loops: positive reinforcement for compliance and swift penalties for dissent.
Unlike overt dictatorships, systemic authoritarianism is diffuse. It hides in plain sight, normalized by the systems we participate in daily. Understanding this broader definition shifts our focus from the individuals who embody authoritarianism to the structures that sustain it. And this is where the battle must begin.
