performative authoritarianism

Noun

 * 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.
 * 2) * 2020 July "Michael Arceneaux" ""
 * 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.