The current concept of strategic communications is undoubtedly inspired by the US. However, democratic and authoritarian countries are different in practice due to the influence of global environment, strategic needs and historical experience. This paper sorts out the development of strategic communications paradigm in the US. as a clue to understand the shared concept. The exploration of localization of China and Russia points out information warfare and public opinion warfare are conceptualizations of strategic communications. Finally, the deconstruction of the characteristics of authoritarian state communication practices finds that they emphasize authority-driven, effect-based and information confrontation. The contradictions between the authoritarian and democratic states are aggression or defense; false opacity or true transparency; seeking control or dialogue; triggering illusions or fact-based emotions. These differences are reflected in strategy, timing, audience, and power, including not rejecting unethical measures, allowing unplanned short-term actions, prioritizing internal resonance in external messages and centering on senders.