Despotism

DESPOTISM CONNOTES autocracy, the absolute rule of one or a select group and exercise of power without imposed limits. The word is closely associated with a host of other concepts, including tyranny, domination, absolutism, dictatorship, oppression, and servitude. [Page 135]In politics, it refers to a specific model of governance regarding the ability to make others do what one wants them to do despite their possible opposition.

Despots come into a position of power in a number of different ways: seizing power through inheritance (the cases of Roman emperors Caligula and Nero), through military means and then legitimizing their position once in power (the case of Roman emperor Augustus), through revolution and bloodshed (Josef Stalin following Vladimir Lenin in the newly founded Soviet Union), through bids for ...