Which term means rule by one person with unlimited power?

Which term means rule by one person with unlimited power?

• A. Hierarchy of Needs
• B. Social Stratification
• C. Ascribed Group Membership
• D. Autocracy

Answer: (D)

The main idea this item tests is recognizing forms of political power and who holds it. The term that means rule by one person with unlimited power describes an autocracy. In an autocracy, a single leader has centralized authority and operates without meaningful constitutional or institutional limits, making decisions unilaterally. The other terms don’t fit this concept: a Hierarchy of Needs is a motivational framework about human needs, not who holds political power; Social Stratification describes how society is divided into layers like class or status but doesn’t specify how power is exercised; Ascribed Group Membership refers to social identity assigned at birth, not to governance or authority.

The main idea this item tests is recognizing forms of political power and who holds it. The term that means rule by one person with unlimited power describes an autocracy. In an autocracy, a single leader has centralized authority and operates without meaningful constitutional or institutional limits, making decisions unilaterally.

The other terms don’t fit this concept: a Hierarchy of Needs is a motivational framework about human needs, not who holds political power; Social Stratification describes how society is divided into layers like class or status but doesn’t specify how power is exercised; Ascribed Group Membership refers to social identity assigned at birth, not to governance or authority.