Which type of government is characterized by a leader who has absolute power and authority?

A government characterized by a leader who has absolute power and authority is best described as a dictatorship. In a dictatorship, the governing authority is centralized in the hands of a single leader or a small group that possesses total control over political decisions, often without effective constitutional limitations. This concentration of power often leads to the suppression of political opposition, strict control of the media, and limited individual freedoms, as the ruling authorities implement their decisions unchallenged.

In contrast, while a monarchy can involve absolute power, it may also exist in constitutional forms where the monarch's powers are limited by law or a governing body. Fascism, although it can exhibit authoritarian characteristics, emphasizes controlling aspects of life through a strong nationalist agenda, and is not solely defined by the absolute authority of a single leader. A parliamentary system typically features shared power between an elected parliament and a prime minister, emphasizing democratic governance rather than absolute authority. Thus, the defining characteristics of a dictatorship align precisely with the concept of a leader holding absolute power.