Final answer:
A dictatorship is a government form featuring a single leader with absolute power over all aspects of governance and the lives of citizens, unlike a democracy where power is equally distributed among citizens.
Step-by-step explanation:
A dictatorship is a form of government where one leader has absolute control over citizens' lives. This authority extends to controlling the constitution, rendering it relatively meaningless, as the dictator's will is paramount. Although other government structures such as courts or legislative bodies may exist in a dictatorship, they operate under the dictator's directives and don't represent the citizenry's interests. In contrast to democratic principles, where citizens have an equal voice and vote, a dictatorship centralizes power, often achieved and maintained through military might, economic control, intimidation, and even violence.