The idea of a pure autocracy is a utopian concept, only possible in theory. In a real-world concept, an autocrat relies on individuals to carry out their decisions and serve as their power structure. A pure autocracy exists only when a single individual is capable of designing law, enforcing those laws and defending their own right to lead. Under a pure autocracy, the leader would have to possess some sense of individual force by which they could force citizens to adhere to those policies or serve over people who possess an individual driving force to follow their autocratic leader.
Real-world autocratic governing styles are quick and responsive, removing excess time spent negotiating between additional political figures. The responsibility to make effective and just governing decisions falls upon the autocrat. For instance, in a single-parent home, one parent has the right to make decisions for her entire family. There is no need for her to consult another parent and she can overrule the decisions of her children for their benefit. The responsibility falls upon her to ensure that her decisions are fair and that they take the interests of her entire family into account.
An autocrat is reliant upon a specific structure, both to ensure his power and to perform basic governing requirements through his subordinates. The absence of this structure leaves the autocrat vulnerable to the responsibilities of micromanagement and provides no continuity of leadership if the autocrat is not active. As an example, in an autocratic management style, such as an owner-operated company, the owner develops a management style that includes subordinate managers to carry out the rules of the business when he is not there.
An autocratic organizational style relies upon the existence of the autocrat. If a situation occurs where the autocrat is no longer able to serve, a new autocracy could be formed; however, it would no longer be the same autocracy. For instance, if the autocratic leader of a country should pass away, even if they left the right to rule to another, the resulting autocracy would be different from the first because the laws, rules and governing style would change to adapt to the vision and ideas of the new leader.