An authoritarian regime is characterized by a concentration of power in a single authority or a small group that limits political freedoms and civil liberties. Key characteristics include the absence of free and fair elections, suppression of dissent, state control of the media, and restricted civil society participation. In such regimes, governance is often maintained through coercion, propaganda, and the manipulation of laws to justify power retention. These regimes often prioritize regime stability over individual rights, leading to a political environment that stifles opposition and curtails democratic processes.