What actions characterize authoritarian governments?

Authoritarian governments are characterized by the concentration of power in a single authority or a small group, often suppressing political dissent and limiting civil liberties. They employ censorship to control information and restrict media freedoms, while political opposition is frequently persecuted or eliminated. Additionally, these regimes may use Propaganda to maintain their legitimacy and manipulate public perception. Elections, if held, are typically neither free nor fair, reinforcing the ruling authority's grip on power.