authoritarian
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authoritarian
Describes a person or style that demands absolute obedience and does not take other people's opinions into account.
Viele Mitarbeiter kritisieren den autoritären Führungsstil des Chefs.
Many employees criticize the boss's authoritarian leadership style.
The adjective 'autoritär' (authoritarian) belongs to the word family of 'die Autorität' (authority). This connection helps you understand the meaning, which relates to power, control, and demanding obedience.
Eine gute Führungskraft braucht Autorität, sollte aber nicht autoritär sein.
A good leader needs authority but should not be authoritarian.
The noun that 'autoritär' (authoritarian) describes shows the exact meaning. If it refers to a person or their behavior, e.g. 'Chef' (boss), 'Stil' (style), or 'Erziehung' (upbringing), it refers to the personal level. If it refers to a system, e.g. 'Staat' (state) or 'Regime' (regime), it refers to the political level.
Sein autoritärer Tonfall gefiel den Kollegen nicht.
His authoritarian tone did not please his colleagues.
When it is about people or their behavior, 'autoritär' (authoritarian) is often combined with nouns such as 'Führungsstil' (leadership style), 'Erziehungsmethode' (parenting/educational method), 'Vater' (father), or 'Lehrer' (teacher).
Eine autoritäre Erziehung lässt Kindern nur wenig Freiraum.
An authoritarian upbringing gives children very little freedom.
In a political context, typical combinations are 'autoritäres Regime' (authoritarian regime), 'autoritärer Staat' (authoritarian state), or 'autoritäre Regierung' (authoritarian government). These terms describe an undemocratic form of rule.
In einem autoritären Regime gibt es keine freie Meinungsäußerung.
In an authoritarian regime, there is no freedom of expression.
democratic
'demokratisch' and 'autoritär' are clear opposites. 'demokratisch' means that people can participate in decisions and that their opinion counts. 'autoritär' means that a person or system demands obedience and pays little attention to other opinions. This can refer to politics, but also to everyday life or a leadership style. When decisions are made together and fairly, 'demokratisch' is appropriate. When someone decides alone and does not want any contradiction, 'autoritär' fits.
Frau Fischer wirkt autoritär, weil sie keine Diskussion im Team zulässt.
Ms. Fischer comes across as authoritarian because she does not allow any discussion within the team.
Der Trainer bleibt demokratisch und fragt die Mannschaft nach ihrer Meinung.
The coach remains democratic and asks the team for their opinion.