Editing Autocracy (section)

=== Modern era ===
[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 183-2004-1001-501, Berlin, Reichstagssitzung, Adolf Hitler.jpg|thumb|upright|Members of the [[Nazi Party]] salute [[Adolf Hitler]] in 1940]]
[[Absolutism (European history)|Absolutism]] became more common in European monarchies at the onset of the 16th century as the continent struggled with weak leadership and religious conflict. Legislatures during this period were often tailored to enforce the king's will but not challenge it.{{Sfn|Grzymala-Busse|Finkel|2022|loc=How Autocracies Emerge}}{{Sfn|Hulliung|2014}} This was sometimes justified through the divine right of kings, particularly in the kingdoms of England and France.{{Sfn|Murphy|2014}}

The [[French Revolution]] marked a significant shift in the perception of dictatorship as a form of tyrannical rule, as revolutionaries justified their actions as a means of combatting tyranny.{{Sfn|Richter|2005|pp=233–234}} In Europe, the original forms of dictatorship were [[Bonapartism]], a form of monarchism that rejected feudalism, and [[Caesarism]], imperial rule reminiscent of Julius Caesar. These were primarily used to define the [[First French Empire|First]] and [[Second French Empire]]s.{{Sfn|Richter|2005|pp=238–239}} European monarchies moved away from autocracy in the 19th century as legislatures increased in power.{{Sfn|Tullock|1987|p=179}} In 19th century Latin America, regional rulers known as ''[[caudillo]]s'' seized power in several nations as early examples of dictators.{{Sfn|Lynch|1992}}

The 19th and 20th centuries brought about the decline of traditional monarchies in favor of modern [[state (polity)|state]]s, many of which developed as autocracies.{{Sfn|Gurr|Jaggers|Moore|1990|p=74}} The upheaval caused by [[World War I]] resulted in a broad shift of governance across Europe, and many nations moved away from traditional monarchies.{{Sfn|Gurr|Jaggers|Moore|1990|p=90}} Most European monarchs were stripped of their powers to become [[constitutional monarch]]s, or they were displaced entirely in favor of [[republic]]s.{{Sfn|Tullock|1987|p=179}} Totalitarianism first developed as a form of autocracy during the [[interwar period]].{{Sfn|Siaroff|2013|p=233}} It seized power in many of these republics, particularly during the [[Great Depression]]. This saw the establishment of [[fascism|fascist]], [[communism|communist]], and military dictatorships throughout Europe.{{Sfn|Gurr|Jaggers|Moore|1990|p=90}}

The [[communist state]] first developed as a new form of autocracy following the [[Russian Revolution]]. This type of autocratic government enforced totalitarian control over its citizens through a [[vanguardist|mass party said to represent the citizens]].{{Sfn|Gurr|Jaggers|Moore|1990|pp=74–75}} While other forms of European dictatorship were dissolved after [[World War II]], communism was strengthened and became the basis of [[Eastern Bloc|several dictatorships]] in [[Eastern Europe]].{{Sfn|Gurr|Jaggers|Moore|1990|p=90}} Communist states became the primary model for autocratic government in the late-20th century, and many non-communist autocratic regimes replicated the communist style of government.{{Sfn|Golosov|2021|p=13}}

The decline in autocracy across Western Europe affected autocratic government elsewhere in the world through colonization. Societies without a state were readily colonized by European nations and subsequently adopted democracy and parliamentary government after it became common in Europe. Regions with historically strong autocratic states were able to resist European colonization or otherwise went unchanged, allowing autocracy to be preserved.{{Sfn|Hariri|2012|p=489}}

The strength of autocracy in [[global politics]] was significantly reduced at the end of the Cold War with the [[dissolution of the Soviet Union]] in 1991, but it saw a resurgence over the following decades through regional powers such as China, Iran, Russia, and Saudi Arabia.{{Sfn|Mauk|2019|p=1}} The fall of totalitarian regimes led to authoritarianism becoming the predominant form of autocracy in the 21st century.{{Sfn|Gerschewski|2023|p=31}}