I've seen there was a somewhat large "debate" on the subject of authoritarianism going down on socialist twitter so I decided to make some graphics explaining the marxist view of authority. I'll be drawing mostly from Engels's essay "On Authority" ( http://www.marxist.com/engels-on-authority.htm)

As a materialist Engels asks what material conditions necessitate authority

Giving the examples of various industries where tight co-ordination is required Engels argues that authority will be required in socialism, even if it is a democratised form of authority.

From his study of these industries Engels shows that even under socialism some level of authority will still be necessary under communism, but it will represent the will of the majority.

Finally Engels points out that anarchists are not able to rid themselves of authority, as they propose revolution which is by it's nature authoritarian.

Hope you all like these graphics they took me a while