Authoritarianism is used to describe forms of government where the citizen is subject to state authority in many aspects of their life, including many that other political philosophies would see as matters for personal choice.
Typcially, the leadership (government) of an Authoritarian regime is ruled by a small select/elite group (perhaps just dictator) which makes all important decisions for the community (country).
Some people believe that countries ruled by authoritarianism can be successful. They give the example of Singapore which they cite as one of the most successful countries in the world, although it is ruled by an authoritarian regime. In Singapore's case, justification was given to its strict social behavior laws as "a way to force civility onto a third-world country", which it was at the time of its separation from Malaysia.
Another country once considered authoritarian in this sense was Spain, under Franco.