Political Analyst Adam Cochran Challenges Conventional Views on Authoritarianism, Citing Historical Precedents

Washington D.C. – Political commentator Adam Cochran recently sparked discussion with a social media post asserting that the defining characteristic of an authoritarian regime lies not in its ascent to power, but in its exercise of authority and the suppression of checks and balances. Cochran, known for his incisive analyses on political and economic topics, referenced historical events to underscore his argument.In his tweet, Cochran stated, > "The Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei also won the most seats in parliament. And the Reichstag Fire Decree was enacted by democratic process. What makes an authoritarian, an authoritarian is not how they gained power. It is how they wield it, and how the checks and balances curtail it." He further elaborated, > "When a majority elects people who fail to be checks and balances, who pardon criminals for favor, who hold themselves above the law and who use their power to suppress investigations into their crimes - then that is tyranny, no matter if it was elected."While the Nazi Party did achieve significant electoral success, historical records clarify that the Reichstag Fire Decree, issued on February 28, 1933, was an emergency decree by President Paul von Hindenburg, advised by Chancellor Adolf Hitler. This decree, officially titled "Decree of the Reich President for the Protection of People and State," suspended key civil liberties and was enacted under Article 48 of the Weimar Constitution, an emergency power, rather than through a standard democratic parliamentary process. It was a pivotal step in the establishment of the Nazi dictatorship, enabling the regime to arrest political opponents and suppress dissent.Political science defines authoritarianism as a system characterized by the rejection of political plurality, the use of strong central power to maintain the status quo, and a reduction in democratic principles, separation of powers, civil liberties, and the rule of law. Such regimes often lack genuinely free and competitive elections or manipulate institutional frameworks to solidify their control. The presence of nominally democratic institutions, like elections, can serve as a facade to legitimize authoritarian rule.Checks and balances are fundamental to democratic governance, designed to prevent any single branch of government from accumulating excessive power. This system, which typically involves legislative oversight, judicial review, and executive accountability, ensures that power is distributed and that governmental actions are subject to scrutiny. The weakening or deliberate dismantling of these mechanisms is widely considered a hallmark of democratic erosion and a pathway to authoritarianism, regardless of how leaders initially attain office.