Which characteristic defines a dictatorship?

A dictatorship is primarily defined by the concentration of power in the hands of a single leader or a small group, often maintained through the use of military or political force. This characteristic reinforces the lack of accountability and the absence of democratic processes within such a system. In a dictatorship, the ruling authority typically suppresses dissent and limits opposition to ensure its continued control. The employment of force serves both as a means to establish authority and to prevent the emergence of challenges to that authority.

In contrast, decentralized control with power shared implies a democratic framework where multiple entities or individuals have a say in governance, which is contrary to the essence of a dictatorship. Religious leadership, while influential in some governments, does not inherently define a dictatorship; it might coexist with various forms of governance, including democratic ones. Lastly, regular and fair elections are hallmarks of democratic systems and directly oppose the nature of a dictatorship, where such processes are often manipulated or simply absent. Thus, the reliance on military or political force is a decisive factor in identifying a dictatorship.