DICTATORSHIPS

Countries commonly identified as dictatorships or highly authoritarian include China, North Korea, Syria, Eritrea, Turkmenistan, and Iran, often characterized by single-party rule, strongman leaders, suppression of dissent, and limited freedoms, though forms vary from military juntas (Myanmar, Chad) to absolute monarchies (Saudi Arabia, Brunei) and one-party communist states (Vietnam, Cuba). 

Examples by Region & Type 

• Asia:
• China, Vietnam, Laos, Cuba: Single-party communist rule.
• North Korea: Hereditary totalitarian dictatorship.
• Myanmar (Burma): Ruled by military junta.
• Iran: Theocratic authoritarian state.
• Saudi Arabia, Oman, Brunei: Absolute monarchies.
• Africa:
• Eritrea: Totalitarian dictatorship, no elections.
• Equatorial Guinea: Long-standing authoritarian ruler.
• Chad, Central African Republic: Military dictatorships.
• Egypt, Algeria, Angola: Authoritarian regimes.
• Middle East/Central Asia:
• Syria: Ruled by Bashar al-Assad.
• Turkmenistan: Highly repressive personalist dictatorship.
• Tajikistan, Uzbekistan: Often cited as authoritarian.
• Americas:
• Venezuela: Considered authoritarian.
• Nicaragua: Authoritarian leader (Daniel Ortega). 

Key Characteristics of Dictatorships 

• Lack of Free Elections: Even if elections occur, they are often fraudulent or controlled.
• Suppression of Opposition: Political opponents are silenced, imprisoned, or exiled.
• Control of Information: Media censorship and propaganda are common.
• Military/Security State: Reliance on military or powerful security forces to maintain power. 

Political analysts and organizations like Freedom House regularly track these states, noting that many function as "not free" societies despite sometimes having multi-party systems.