authoritarians of any side deprecate liberal values (ie, individual liberty) & treat the individual as an expendable means to (rather than the nonexpendable ends of) their illiberal agenda
this post was submitted on 01 Nov 2025
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They could, but it's unnecessary to sustain autocratic government. Whereas an autocracy isn't accountable to governed citizens, a liberal democracy by design is.
Authority doesn't require popular support, rule of law, or the recognition of individual liberties. Ideology (such as that the autocrat is divine or has an exclusive right to rule for whatever reason) & a faithful establishment with enough power to compel obedience can displace the need for popular support. When an autocrat's interests conflict with the populace's interests or an individual's freedom, power decides who prevails. Only revolt or overthrow by a stronger power holds an autocrat accountable.
With a liberal democracy, authority is in a government that is accountable to citizens & that rules by laws limited by recognized individual liberties (ie, rule of law & limited government).