What form of government is characterized by a single-party rule?

The form of government characterized by a single-party rule is authoritarianism. In an authoritarian system, political power is concentrated in a single party or leader, and other political parties and dissenting voices are typically suppressed. This allows the ruling party to maintain control over the government and limits citizen participation in the political process.

In such regimes, the government often exercises significant control over many aspects of life, including the media, economy, and civil society. Citizens may have very little say in choosing their leaders or influencing public policy, as the ruling party seeks to consolidate its power and minimize opposition.

In contrast, a democracy encourages multiple parties and competitive elections, allowing citizens to express their political preferences freely. An autocracy also involves concentrated power, but it may not necessarily be tied to a single party and can involve a dictator or a ruling elite making decisions without democratic processes. Liberalism, on the other hand, promotes individual rights and freedoms within a political framework that typically supports democracy and pluralism.