HISET Social Studies Practice

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Study for the HISET Social Studies Test. Access practice exams and detailed explanations to boost your confidence. Prepare effectively and succeed in your test!

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What is the main characteristic of a dictatorship?

Power is shared equally among citizens
Power is held by a single individual
Power is derived from the consent of the governed
Power is limited by a constitution

The correct answer is: Power is held by a single individual

A dictatorship is primarily defined by the concentration of power in the hands of a single individual or a small group. In such a system, the leader or ruling party exerts significant control over the state, often without the input or consent of the governed. This centralized authority typically allows the dictator to make unilateral decisions regarding governance, law, and policy, bypassing democratic processes and institutions. The other characteristics presented in the options illustrate different forms of governance. In democratic systems, power is distributed among citizens, often through elections and representation. Consent of the governed is a fundamental principle of democracy, meaning that authority is granted by the people. Additionally, a constitution serves to outline the limits of power and protect individual rights, which is contrary to the unrestricted authority typically found in a dictatorship. Therefore, the defining feature of a dictatorship is the concentration of power in a single leader or group, making the correct response focus on that centralization.