Authoritarianism
Authoritarianism is a form of dictatorship seen as less repressive than totalitarianism.
Some political analysts, notably Jean Kirkpatrick, make a distinction between totalitarianism and authoritarianism. Both types of governments can be extremely brutal to political opponents. However, in an authoritarian government, the government's efforts are directed at those who are considered political opponents, and the government has neither the will or often the means to control every aspect of an individual's life. In a totalitarian system, ideology requires that every aspect of an individual's life be subordinate to the state.