Military governments usually rule by decrees. Decrees are official orders or decisions issued by a government or other authority, such as a military government. Decrees are often used by military governments to bypass traditional legislative processes and impose their will on the population. They can be used to implement policies, restrict civil liberties, and punish dissenters. Unlike laws, which are made through established legal processes, decrees are issued by those in power without public debate or input, making them more authoritarian in nature.