What is authoritarian capitalism?

Ideology

Authoritarian capitalism is characterised by the enforcement or advocacy of strict obedience to the authority of the state at the expense of personal freedom coupled with an economic system in which trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit, rather than by the state.

Authoritarian capitalism tends toward a partnership of government and big business in which the state intervenes on behalf of large capitalists against the interests of consumers. Like other forms of authoritarianism, it also rejects liberal concepts such as freedom of assembly, habeas corpus, and freedom of expression.

Followers

Authoritarian capitalists support heavy restrictions on cultural freedom alongside light restrictions on economic freedom. Authoritarian capitalists oppose increased economic regulations unless advantageous. Authoritarian capitalists do not tolerate criticism of their ideology.

Allies

Authoritarian capitalists will ally themselves with other capitalists, known as useful idiots, for as long as they derive utility from the association. Once their usefulness ends, authoritarian capitalists will betray their allies, often with deadly force.

As they lean toward the authoritarian side of the political spectrum, authoritarian capitalists will view capitalists on the libertarian side of the spectrum with suspicion and mistrust. As such, they are less likely to ally with these capitalists.

Enemies

Authoritarian capitalists consider liberals and socialists to be their enemies and seek to destroy them utterly for daring to end the tradition of mercantilism that was practiced for most of human history. Authoritarian capitalists will employ entryist strategies to infiltrate and subvert liberal and socialist organisations so as to destroy them from within.

Location on the political spectrum

Authoritarian capitalism is located at the centre-top centre-right of the political spectrum. It is bordered by corporatism, state capitalism, neo-conservatism, neo-liberalism, conservatism, centrism, progressivism, and fascism. As it is a mainstream ideology, authoritarian capitalism occupies more space on the spectrum than fringe ideologies.