Authoritarianism for public safety is still authoritarianism

Thought experiment: authoritarianism for public safety is still authoritarianism, especially since “keeping you safe” is a most excellent way for authoritarians to enact authoritarianism. It’s a perfect system. Who doesn’t want to feel—and be—safer? Who doesn’t want to protect widows and orphans? Monsters! It’s genius! I mean, theoretically.