State autocracy kills democratic values
Throughout history, across countries and eras, the downfall of state autocracy has been repeated
In dictionaries, autocracy is defined as "acting according to one's own will". But a more realistic definition may be that it represents a process devoid of transparency and accountability, where an individual or institution completely disregards others' needs and democratic rights and controls others' lives according to personal whims, preferences, and dislikes — forcing others to accept this condition.
From a broader perspective, autocracy is essentially a form of distorted culture and is anti-human.
Traditionally, we tend to think of autocracy as a political issue. The reason is simple: when political power is in hand, it becomes easier to impose one's will on others. Naturally, when we think of autocracy, the image of autocratic rulers comes to mind.
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However, the scope of autocracy is not limited to politics; it also extends into economic and social spheres. From another perspective, autocracy is not confined to state affairs alone; it can also exist in personal and social life.
Sometimes it appears in a direct and crude form; at other times it exists subtly and invisibly. Overall, autocracy is a complex, multidimensional phenomenon that cannot be fully understood from a single linear viewpoint.
At the state level, autocracy arises when an individual or force seizes absolute power outside democratic processes or by bypassing the people. In such a situation, transparency and accountability to the public become irrelevant.
The power-holder becomes an absolute authority and, due to the nature of such power, turns into a source and carrier of corruption. As the saying goes, "Absolute power makes one absolutely corrupt."
The natural outcome is an autocratic system in which nothing can be done without the approval of the supreme authority. This leads to extreme centralisation of power, where even trivial matters require the decision of the top authority. Consequently, inefficiency grows in administration, and corruption becomes entrenched.
The extended sphere of state autocracy manifests as political autocracy. The process begins with political values. If democratic values are absent – if there is no respect for others' rights, if power is used to suppress discussion and debate, and if dissent is silenced – then political values themselves become autocratic. Another dimension of political autocracy is arrogance: "What I say is right," "I know everything." This attitude becomes binding on others, and the principle of respecting freedom of expression dies.
Political authoritarianism sometimes breeds in political parties. If political parties are truly democratic, then they will practise democracy at every level within the party. There will be open discussions in every sense — freedom of thought, expression, and environment — where everyone, from ordinary workers to leaders, has equal rights to participate in debate.
Therefore, the discussion of political authoritarianism can begin from political values. Within political authoritarianism, a mindset becomes dominant: "My ideology is the only correct one; there is no alternative, and everyone must accept it". This attitude becomes coercive, and such a political organisation eventually becomes centred on state power. Yet the fundamental principle of political democracy is this: "I may disagree with you on everything, but to uphold your freedom of expression, I am willing to give my life."
Political authoritarianism sometimes breeds in political parties. If political parties are truly democratic, then they will practise democracy at every level within the party. There will be open discussions in every sense – freedom of thought, expression, and environment – where everyone, from ordinary workers to leaders, has equal rights to participate in debate.
Decisions will be made with respect for everyone's opinions. However, in reality, sometimes political parties abandon democratic practices and operate in an authoritarian manner. Leaders are given almost unlimited power, like rulers, which naturally helps them become authoritarian. When disagreements arise, instead of resolving them through discussion or voting, the responsibility for a unilateral decision is placed on the leader.
State-level autocracy is closely linked with economic arbitrariness. Absolute power allows an autocratic ruler full control over state finances and resources. Under such circumstances, the ruler may spend resources at will or embezzle them. Rules, regulations, and financial discipline are violated, and accountability disappears.
The ruler distributes state funds, grants, rewards, or gifts arbitrarily, undermining economic governance. This leads to resource shortages, increased national debt, and hindered human development. The absence of transparency and accountability is a defining feature of economic autocracy.
Political authoritarianism is inevitably accompanied by economic exploitation. Politically, absolute power gives an individual complete authority over the state's wealth and resources. They violate the rules of planning and destroy the financial discipline inherent in the budget.
A development plan or budget report is an important economic document for the country, just as a constitution is an important political document for a nation. No one has the right to violate or distort it. Such authority should belong to no one.
But an autocratic ruler disregards these policies and distributes state wealth as grants according to personal desire, gradually violating economic discipline. As a result, on one hand there appears a scarcity of resources, and on the other hand the country's real development activities are hindered.
The misuse of wealth does not end here. The autocratic ruler forms a supportive alliance around himself. To keep the groups within this alliance satisfied, the distribution of resources becomes necessary.
These resources come from the state treasury, which actually belongs to the people. But the members of this supportive alliance are well aware that no autocratic rule is permanent.
Therefore, to secure their wealth, these ill-gotten resources are laundered abroad. This entire situation arises because there is no accountability in an autocratic system. An autocratic ruler does not feel any sense of irresponsibility to the people. The absence of accountability and responsibility is one of the key characteristics of economic autocracy
The emergence and institutionalisation of autocratic power in a country is not the work of a single individual alone. To sustain power, the ruler creates a supportive class or alliance. To keep these groups satisfied, resources that belong to the people must be distributed.
Often, these accumulated resources are transferred abroad to ensure their security. In reality, these groups are given unchecked power and opportunities to accumulate wealth to safeguard the interests of the autocratic ruler.
To please the autocratic ruler, these supporters engage in flattery. Through exaggerated praise, the ruler is made to believe that they possess ultimate authority. Naturally, this fosters further arbitrariness.
As the leader becomes more autocratic, followers also gain licence to act arbitrarily, often exploiting ordinary people. Flattery-driven politics gradually isolates the leader from reality. The truth is never presented; instead, the leader only sees what the flatterers want them to see.
Autocracy — whether at the personal, social, or state level, and whether political, economic, or social — ultimately depends on individuals for its continuation or elimination. If individuals embrace democratic values, practise them in all aspects of life, and free themselves from patronage, then a democratic human society free of autocracy can emerge.
Such individuals can build social movements against social autocracy, economic resistance against economic autocracy, and political movements against political autocracy.
Therefore, to eliminate autocracy in the future, each of us must first break free from our tendencies toward autocracy. Even a small number of such individuals can gradually advance the cause of democracy.
Over time, their numbers will grow and transform into a mass movement. In the powerful waves of that movement, autocracy will be crushed forever.
Throughout history, across countries and eras, the downfall of state autocracy has been repeated. Mass uprisings overthrow autocracy, but at great cost – many young lives are lost, and many make the ultimate sacrifice. Therefore, wherever the tentacles of autocracy spread like an octopus, people – especially students and citizens – must rise to uproot it completely.
Selim Jahan is the former Director of the Human Development Report Office (HDRO) of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in New York .
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of The Business Standard.
