What makes a government authoritarian?

A government is considered authoritarian when it concentrates power in the hands of a single leader or a small group, limiting political pluralism and suppressing dissent. Such regimes often curtail civil liberties, restrict freedom of speech, and manipulate or control the media to maintain their grip on power. Elections, if held, may be heavily influenced or rigged to ensure the ruling party's dominance. Overall, the lack of checks and balances and the absence of democratic processes characterize authoritarian governance.