What are distinguishes an authoritarian goverment from a democratic one?

There are many differences between an authoritarian and a democratic government. The most obvious one is the way in which each government picks it leader. In an authoritarian regime, a leader governs with complete authority, and with no legitimacy, as the people have no right to participate in government. On the other hand, a democratic regime allows all people to participate in the running of the country, and the leader is chosen through a vote.

Another difference is the amount and the type of liberties that citizens enjoy in each type of regime. In an authoritarian regime, the law is very restrictive and people enjoy few liberties. On the other hand, in a democratic regime, people enjoy many liberties (such as freedom of speech, freedom of thought and freedom of religion) and these are protected by law.