Question

What does authoritarian mean?

requiring acknowledgment of authorship
requiring strict obedience to an authority, such as a dictator
ruling by aristocracy
ruling authority is granted to individuals by the government

Answer 1

Authoritarian means requiring strict obedience to an authority, such as a dictator.

For dictators it is often said that they were authoritarian figures because rhey required absolute and complete obedience from their subjects, without questioning their capabilities.