Dictatorship

noun

dic·​ta·​tor·​ship | \ dik-ˈtā-tər-ˌship

• the office of dictator
• autocratic rule, control, or leadership people suffering under his dictatorship
•    3a : a form of government in which absolute power is concentrated in a dictator or a small clique. ( GOP? )
•    b : a government organization or group in which absolute power is so concentrated rising up against a military dictatorship
•    c : a despotic state establishing a dictatorship
  
  

Is Putin a dictator?

Russia is typically defined as being in a gray area between a democracy and a dictatorship.

Putin meets the criteria of being a dictator in a number of ways, including the ways he has safeguarded his hold on Russia's top political office and ruled largely through executive authority. ( refer to many Trump executive orders and demands that his appointees refuse to honor legally binding subpoenas )

Elections?  In Russia "The process is greatly manipulated, the most vocal opposition is suppressed,(or arrested or poisened!)  fraudulent votes are added in favor of the pro-government party, and so on, but elections still "matter", in that they have helped to give the regime legitimacy."

Faud, manipulation is common in Russian elections but NOT in American elections. (yet) Putin uses the "cover" of elections to provide him with his legitimacy. Trump is trying to do the same with his seditious Republican allies in public office. He is crying fraud without evidence to legitimize his continued attempts to subvert the will of the American people.  And not coincidentally, to ca$h in on post loss donations for his fake defense most of which he is pocketing for personal use. This is another aspect of the cult mentality being exploited for personal financial gain.