Crossword clues for despotism
despotism
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
The Collaborative International Dictionary
Despotism \Des"po*tism\, n. [Cf. F. despotisme.]
The power, spirit, or principles of a despot; absolute control over others; tyrannical sway; tyranny. ``The despotism of vice.''
--Byron.-
A government which is directed by a despot; a despotic monarchy; absolutism; autocracy.
Despotism . . . is the only form of government which may with safety to itself neglect the education of its infant poor.
--Bp. Horsley.
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
Wiktionary
n. government by a singular authority, either a single person or tight-knit group, which rules with absolute power, especially in a cruel and oppressive way.
WordNet
n. dominance through threat of punishment and violence [syn: absolutism, tyranny]
a form of government in which the ruler is an absolute dictator (not restricted by a constitution or laws or opposition etc.) [syn: dictatorship, absolutism, authoritarianism, Caesarism, monocracy, one-man rule, shogunate, Stalinism, totalitarianism, tyranny]
Wikipedia
Despotism is a form of government in which a single entity rules with absolute power. That entity may be an individual, as in an autocracy, or it may be a group, as in an oligarchy. The English dictionary defines despotism as "the rule of a despot; the exercise of absolute authority."
The root despot comes from the Greek word despotes, which means "master" or "one with power." The term has been used to describe a variety of rulers and governments throughout history. It connoted the absolute authority and power exercised by the Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt, signified nobility in Byzantine courts, designated the rulers of Byzantine vassal states, and acted as a title for Byzantine Emperors.
Due to its reflexive connotation throughout history, the word despot cannot be objectively defined. While despot is closely related to other Greek words like basileus and autokrator, these connotations have also been used to describe a variety of rulers and governments throughout history, such as local chieftains, simple rulers, kings, and emperors.
Colloquially, the word despot applies pejoratively to those who abuse their power and authority to oppress their populace, subjects, or subordinates. More specifically, the term often applies to a head of state or government. In this sense, it is similar to the pejorative connotations that are associated with the terms tyrant and Dictator.
Usage examples of "despotism".
The Priests of Brahma, professing a dark and bloody creed, brutalized by Superstition, united together against Buddhism, and with the aid of Despotism, exterminated its followers.
A new spirit had arisen in that assembly, whose long patience had been insulted by wanton despotism and military license.
It is not denied that there may be cases in which a respect to the general principles of liberty, the essential rights of the people, or the overruling sentiments of humanity, might require a government, whether new or old, to be treated as an illegitimate despotism.
Other planets were despotisms or oligarchies and many were kingdoms, these days.
Masonry forced by despotism and superstition to invent symbols, 221-l.
This new theory transfers to society the sovereignty which that asserted for the individual, and asserts social despotism, or the absolutism of the state.
The theory that the people are absolutely sovereign in their own independent right and might, as some zealous democrats explain it, asserts the fundamental principle of despotism, and all despotism is false, for it identifies the creature with the Creator.
The sheriff, often holding a hereditary post and fearing therefore no check to his despotism, added to the burden of the unhappy freeholders by a custom of summoning at his own fancy special courts, and laying heavy fines on those who did not attend them.
Nevertheless, finding myself treated as a criminal, rage and despair made me express myself against the horrible despotism which oppressed me in a manner which I will leave my readers to guess, but which I will not repeat here.
I departed alone carrying with me the bitter regret that I had not been able to kill the monster, whose despotism had crushed me.
Working by this recognition, we shall save the race from many failures and bitter disappointments, and spare the world the spectacle of republics ending in despotism and experiments in government ending in anarchy.
The Russian sovereigns use the language of despotism on all occasions.
From that moment the military profession, the one most subject to arbitrary despotism, inspired me with disgust, and I determined to give it up.
Even after a couple of centuries of despotism, they were still attached to the memory of the deposed king, Ahmar bin Naji bin Abad al-Habbibi, called the Righteous, who had been known as a friend to the Bedouin.
Coleridge is never for long together a mere declaimer on popular rights and ministerial tyranny, and even this indignant address contains a passage of extremely just and thoughtful analysis of the constituent elements of despotism.