post-authoritarian
UK[ˌpəʊst ɔːˌθɒrɪˈteəriən]US[ˌpoʊst əˌθɔrəˈteriən]
adj
Relating to or characteristic of a period or society following the collapse or reform of an authoritarian regime.
Morpheme Breakdown
post
authoritarian
post
after
authoritarian
authoritarian
Etymology
The term is a modern political science compound, formed in the late 20th century. The prefix 'post-', directly from Latin, is used in English to denote temporal succession, as seen in words like 'post-war' or 'postmodern'. It is attached to 'authoritarian', a 19th-century adjective derived from 'authority', which itself traces back to Latin 'auctoritas' (influence, command, prestige). The compound literally means "after authoritarianism," logically describing the transitional phase following the dissolution of a rigid, top-down power structure, where institutions and social norms are reshaped in its aftermath.
Analysis
Structure: post (after) + authoritarian (authoritarian)
- post: Latin origin, from 'post' meaning "after, behind". A prefix indicating subsequence in time or order.
- authoritarian: English word, from 'authority'. An adjective describing a system demanding strict obedience to authority.
Examples
The country is navigating the complex challenges of a post-authoritarian transition.
Scholars study the post-authoritarian regimes in Eastern Europe for lessons in democratization.
A post-authoritarian society often grapples with the legacy of its past.