Sure, degeneracy can also happen in authoritarian societies, but the authoritarianism stems from an over-compensation of freedom. "Yes, you should have the right to be gay, and we'll also go further and say you also should not be criticized for it." Degeneracy is caused by an increase in living standard and wealth, which in turn is caused by capitalism. As we make new technologies to do our work for us, we have more time on our hands, and with that time, we get bored. We then fill that time with things that only serve to numb that boredom--things that appeal to the desires of the flesh.