In "Harrison Bergeron," what can we infer about the type of government that was in existence in the year 2081?

Although the government of the United States in 2081 is still based on the Constitution, it is a highly authoritarian and oppressive regime. The first paragraph states that "all this equality was due to the 211th, 212th, and 213th Amendments to the Constitution and to the unceasing vigilance of agents of the United States Handicapper General." 

As the story unfolds, readers become aware of the form that "unceasing vigilance" takes. Smarter people are "required by...

Although the government of the United States in 2081 is still based on the Constitution, it is a highly authoritarian and oppressive regime. The first paragraph states that "all this equality was due to the 211th, 212th, and 213th Amendments to the Constitution and to the unceasing vigilance of agents of the United States Handicapper General." 

As the story unfolds, readers become aware of the form that "unceasing vigilance" takes. Smarter people are "required by law" to wear a radio receiver in their ears that is "tuned to a government transmitter" that emits jarring and distracting noises. In addition, stronger people must wear extra weight, and the penalties for cheating are stiff, as George explains: "Two years in prison and two thousand dollars fine for every ball I took out." In addition, violators can be imprisoned, such as George's "abnormal son who was now in jail." 

The government's response to Harrison's rebellion shows the level of oppression of the government: "Diana Moon Glampers, the Handicapper General, came into the studio with a double-barreled ten-gauge shotgun. She fired twice, and the Emperor and the Empress were dead before they hit the floor." She then reloads and turns her gun on the musicians, requiring them to don their handicaps again. Whether the government controls the televisions or not is left ambiguous, but it seems likely since the "Bergerons' television tube burned out" just after the incident of Harrison's rebellion. 

With its onerous requirements of handicaps, stiff fines and penalties for minor infractions, and immediate execution for blatant rebellion, the 2081 government of the United States is indeed authoritarian and oppressive.