Autarch is the official title of supreme political leadership within the Helghan Empire, similar to the titles of Führer in Nazi Germany and Duce in Fascist Italy. Like in every totalitarian state, the Autarch has full power over Helghast society, civilian and military, and all decisions made by the Autarch are absolute and ultimate. People who disobey orders given directly by the Autarch or refuse his rulership are often considered enemies of the state and marked for summary execution, either in an event or a simple kill-on-sight order. The title was created with the founding of the Helghast Empire, with its founder, Scolar Visari, being the first Autarch.