This article is part of the series on Politics

Politics

Political philosophy

Systems: aristocracy, autocracy, democracy, despotism, monarchy, oligarchy, plutocracy, theocracy and tyranny.

Despotism is government by a singular authority, either a single person or tightly knit group, which rules with absolute power. The word implies tyrannical rule; it suggests a form of government which exercises exacting and near-absolute control over all of its citizens.

A related term is benevolent despotism, which refers specifically to a form of rulership that came to prominence in the 18th century. In this instance, the absolute monarchs ruling certain nations used their authority to institute a number of reforms in the political and social structures of their countries. This movement was probably largely triggered by the ideals of the Enlightenment.

External link

• Dictionary of the History of Ideas: http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/cgi-local/DHI/dhi.cgi?id=dv2-01 despotism

See Also

• Dictatorship
• Enlightened despot
• Monarchy
• Oligarchy
• Despotate