performative authoritarianism

English

Noun

performative authoritarianism (uncountable)

1. 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.
   • 2020 July "Michael Arceneaux" "[1]"

     I also have doubts that the distinction between what constitutes “performative authoritarianism” and regular authoritarianism matters to the people who have been reportedly bashed over the head, tear-gassed, and in select cases, hauled off to undisclosed locations.