Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE) Social Science Practice Test

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Which of the following terms is most closely associated with autocracy?

Democracy
Capitalism
Despotism
Theocracy

The correct answer is: Despotism

Despotism is a term that closely aligns with autocracy because both concepts describe a system of government in which power is concentrated in the hands of a single ruler or a small group of individuals. In an autocratic system, there is little to no input from the populace, and decisions are made unilaterally by the leader or ruling entity. Despotism emphasizes the oppressive and absolute nature of this rule, often highlighting the arbitrary and tyrannical use of power, which is a characteristic feature of autocracy. In contrast, democracy is rooted in the principles of popular sovereignty and citizen participation in governance, making it fundamentally different from autocracy. Capitalism refers to an economic system characterized by private ownership rather than being directly related to governance structures. Theocracy involves rule based on religious authority, which diverges from the secular or tyrannical aspects of autocratic rule. Thus, despotism serves as the most direct synonym for the type of concentrated power described by autocracy.