One of the most common regimes in the political history of humanity is authoritarianism. In authoritarian states, a small group of people have the power to govern in the state (O'Neil, p.318). Compared to totalitarian regime and democracy, authoritarianism seems closer to totalitarianism, taking into account the presence of dictatorship and the limitation of citizens' civil and political liberties by the ruling elite. On the other hand, some democratic characteristics are also present in some authoritarian states, in which a government does not regulate people's private lives. However, in the course of comparative politics, in particular, the examples of China and Russia have demonstrated that the state often exceeds all ethical limits when dealing with governance. Therefore, I think that authoritarian states are more totalitarian, rather than democratic. However, many states have adopted authoritarianism and, although most of them are now undergoing the transition to democracy, some of them “remain faithful” to non-democratic modes of governance. In this essay, I would like to discuss the advantages of an authoritarian style of policymaking, which probably provides an answer as to why some states prefer this regime, and consider the consequences, using the current situations in China and Russia. It should be noted that often in authoritarian states what is advantageous for those in charge is not advantageous for citizens. First, the leaders of authoritarian states have absolute power and a monopoly on politics. An absolute rule gives leaders the opportunity to pass laws themselves, and also not be bound by any laws, which produces a flexible system of lawmaking and facilitates constitutional amendment, and probably helps prevent political stalemate… .middle of paper ......I will turn into a blessing, or it will be the curse of nature – it depends on the policy adopted by the state.Works Cited1. Corruption Perception Index 2011. Transparency International. http://cpi.transparency.org/cpi2011/results/2. Energy production (kilotons of oil equivalent). World Development Indicators Database, World Bank. http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/EG.EGY.PROD.KT.OE3. Gross domestic product. World Development Indicators Database, World Bank. http://databank.worldbank.org/databank/download/GDP.pdf4. O'Neil P. Essentials of Comparative Politics. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 2010. Print.5. Ross M. Does oil hinder democracy? // World politics. 2001.vol. 53, no. 3. P. 325—361.6. The Democracy Index 2011. Economist Intelligence Unit, The Economist. https://www.eiu.com/public/topical_report.aspx?campaignid=DemocracyIndex2011