See Also: despotism(dictionary)
despotism(dictionary)
DESPOTISM, government(law)

despotism (iou)



despotism noun. E18.
[French despotisme, formed as DESPOT: see -ISM.]
The rule of a despot; despotic government; the exercise of absolute political authority. E18.
Burke The simplest form of government is despotism, where all the inferior orbs of government are moved merely by the will of the Supreme.
Absolute power or control. L18.
R. Scruton The authority, the responsibility, and the despotism of parenthood.
A political system under the control of a despot; a despotic State; an arbitrary government. M19.
V. S. Pritchett From despotisms like the Soviet Union the only voices that tell one anything are the voices of private life.
despotist noun an advocate of despotism L18.