despotism
nounDefinition of despotism
1a
: oppressive absolute (see absolute sense 2) power and authority exerted by government : rule by a despot
an excess of law is despotism, from which free men revolt— S. B. Pettengill
b
: oppressive or despotic exercise of power
educational despotism
2a
: a system of government in which the ruler has unlimited power : absolutism
b
: a despotic state
enduring the despotism of the czars
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