A display of authoritarian force by a government, particularly when unnecessary, as a means to convince or coerce the media and the population into believing that the government has control in matters of law and order.

plural of anti-authoritarian

A post-Maoist current in Chinese political thought favoring enlightened autocracy. / Any present-day phenomenon of authoritarianism.

plural of authoritah

(humorous, slang, US) Authority (the power to enforce rules or give orders).