Definition 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.

What is an example of a despotism?

It’s often used in reference to a country that’s ruled by a dictator, but despotism can describe any situation characterized by oppression and threats. When your sister threatens to send all of your friends embarrassing baby photos of you if you don’t let her control the TV remote, that’s despotism.

What is despotism in US history?

(noun) A term used to describe tyranny (dominance through threat of punishment and violence), absolutism, or dictatorship (a form of government in which the ruler is not restricted by a constitution, laws, or opposition).

What does political despotism mean?





Despotism (Greek: Δεσποτισμός, despotismós) is a form of government in which a single entity rules with absolute power. Normally, that entity is an individual, the despot; but (as in an autocracy) societies which limit respect and power to specific groups have also been called despotic.

Is despotism a type of government?

Despotism is a form of government by a single authority, either an individual or tightly knit group, which rules with absolute political power. On its classical form, a despotism is a state where one single man wields all the power and authority, and everyone else is considered as his slave.

What do you mean by despotism?

Definition 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.

What is the dictionary definition of despotism?



noun. the rule of a despot; the exercise of absolute authority. absolute power or control; tyranny. an absolute or autocratic government. a country ruled by a despot.

How do you say the word despotism?


Quote from video: Tijdperk heeft aan.



How do you use despotism in a sentence?

Despotism sentence example

  1. At the same time his paternal despotism tended to emasculate the Tuscan character. …
  2. The appeal to Rome was a natural course to be advocated by Wolsey, whose despotism over the English church depended upon an authority derived from Rome; but it was probably a mistake.

What is the meaning of despotic power?

having unlimited power over other people, and often using it unfairly and cruelly: a despotic government/regime.

What is a despotic leader?

De Hoogh and Den Hartog (2008) defined despotic leadership as a leader’s tendency to engage in authoritarian and dominant behavior in pursuit of self-interest, self-aggrandizement, and exploitation of their subordinates.

What type of government did the constitution create?



federal democratic republic

The Constitution establishes a federal democratic republic form of government. That is, we have an indivisible union of 50 sovereign States. It is a democracy because people govern themselves. It is representative because people choose elected officials by free and secret ballot.

Why is British rule described as despotic?

Answer: because in their period of ruling they didnot respect the indians and destroy many places whereas in thier period rhey have madenmany buildings and palaces.

What is an absolute power?

The power held by a leader of an autocracy or dictatorship. Omnipotence, unlimited power, as of a deity.

Who enlightened despot?



Among the most prominent enlightened despots were Frederick II (the Great), Peter I (the Great), Catherine II (the Great), Maria Theresa, Joseph II, and Leopold II.

What is despotism Class 10?

A system of governance in which absolute power is exercised by an individual, unregulated by legal and constitutional checks is known as despotism.

What is the similar word of despotic?

In this page you can discover 25 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for despotic, like: dictatorial, tyrannical, despotical, oppressive, arbitrary, monocratic, absolute, authoritarian, autocratic, dominant and absolutistic.

What is the synonym of despot?

In this page you can discover 44 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for despot, like: oppressor, dictator, authoritarian, tyrant, dictatorial, martinet, despotic, imperious, totalitarian, autocrat and tsar.

What is the meaning of despotic in synonyms?

overbearing, peremptory, tyrannical. (also tyrannic), tyrannous.

How do you use despotism in a sentence?



Despotism sentence example

  1. At the same time his paternal despotism tended to emasculate the Tuscan character. …
  2. The appeal to Rome was a natural course to be advocated by Wolsey, whose despotism over the English church depended upon an authority derived from Rome; but it was probably a mistake.

Who enlightened despot?

Among the most prominent enlightened despots were Frederick II (the Great), Peter I (the Great), Catherine II (the Great), Maria Theresa, Joseph II, and Leopold II.

What is meant by oriental despotism?

noun. A particularly oppressive form of despotic government, thought historically to be characteristic of Asian politics, especially those of the Ottoman and Chinese Empires; (as a count noun) any regime operating through this form of government.

Who gave the idea of oriental despotism?

scientist Karl Wittfogel



In his seminal book Oriental Despotism (1957), historian and political scientist Karl Wittfogel presented a general theory of the development of ancient civilizations. He found examples of large-scale systematic organization of work, the emergence of social classes, and widespread specialization.

Who developed the the idea of oriental despotism in the 8th century *?

Oriental Despotism

Author Karl August Wittfogel
Country United States
Publisher Yale University Press
Publication date 1957


What is the meaning of Orientalist?



Britannica Dictionary definition of ORIENTALIST. [count] somewhat old-fashioned. : a person who studies Asian countries, languages, etc.

What is the opposite of Orientalism?

Occidentalism, in its broadest meaning, is the reverse of Orientalism; just as Orientalism is a Western reading of the East, Occidentalism is an Eastern reading of the West.

Who coined the term occidentalism?

Occidentalism, as defined by Avishai Margalit, George F. Kennan Professor in the School of Historical Studies, is a modern phenomenon, a dehumanizing picture of the West, painted not only by its enemies but in fact propagated from within.

Who coined the term Orient and Occident?

In 1849, the American Henry David Thoreau wrote, “Behold the difference between the Oriental and the Occidental. The former has nothing to do in this world; the latter is full of activity. The one looks in the sun till his eyes are put out; the other follows him prone in his westward course”.

What is the main belief of Orientalism?

Edward Said, author of the book Orientalism, argued that western powers and influential individuals such as social scientists and artists othered “the Orient.” The evolution of ideologies is often initially embedded in the language, and continues to ripple through the fabric of society by taking over the culture,

What is the main theme of Orientalism?

Orientalism (1978), by the literary critic Edward Said, announced many of the themes of subaltern studies. The Orient that Said discussed was basically the Middle East, and the Orientalism was the body of fact, opinion, and prejudice accumulated by western European scholars in their encounter…

Are Indians Asians?

Yes. Asian is a racial category (not an ethnic category). The U.S. Census Bureau, and the federal government and most state government data collection agencies, include India and the entire Indian subcontinent (including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, etc.) in the Asian racial category.

Does the Orient still exist?

Equally valid terms for the Orient still exist in the English language in such collocations as Oriental studies (now Asian Studies in some countries). The adjectival term Oriental has been used by the West to mean cultures, peoples, countries, Asian rugs, and goods from the Orient.