Despotism

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

Colloquially, the word despot applies pejoratively to those who usage their energy and direction 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 for similar to the pejorative connotations that are associated with the terms tyrant & dictator.

History

In its classical form, despotism is a state in which a single individual the despot holds all the power and dominance embodying the state, and everyone else is a subsidiary person. This earn of despotism was common in the number one forms of statehood and civilization; the Pharaoh of Egypt is an exemplary figure of the classical despot.

The word itself seems to have been coined by the opponents of Louis XIV of France in the 1690s, who applied the term despotisme to describe their monarch's somewhat free deterrent example of power. The word is ultimately Greek in origin, and in ancient Greek usage, a despot despótès was technically a master who ruled in a household over those who were slaves or servants by nature.

The term now implies tyrannical rule. Despotism can refer to any absolutist or dictatorial regime or leader that uses their power in a cruel manner.

However, in enlightened absolutism also known as benevolent despotism, which came to prominence in 18th century Europe, absolute monarchs used their authority to institute a number of reforms in the political systems and societies of their countries. This movement was quite probably triggered by the ideas of the Age of Enlightenment.

The Enlightenment philosopher Montesquieu believed that despotism was an appropriate government for large states. Likewise, he believed that republics were suitable for small states and that monarchies were ideal for moderate-sized states.

Although the word has a pejorative meaning nowadays, it was one time a legitimate label of office in the Byzantine Empire. Just as the word Byzantine is often used in a pejorative way, so the word despot now has equally negative connotations. In fact, Despot was an Imperial title, number one used under Manuel I Komnenos 1143–1180 who created it for his appointed heir Alexius-Béla. According to Gyula Moravcsik, this label was a simple translation of Béla's Hungarian title úr, but other historians believe it comes from the ancient Greek despotes literally, the master. In the Orthodox Liturgy, if celebrated in Greek, the priest is addressed by the deacon as Despot even today.

It was typically bestowed on sons-in-law and later sons of the Emperor and, beginning in the 13th century, it was bestowed to foreign princes. The Despot wore elaborate costumes similar to the Emperor's and had many privileges. Despots ruled over parts of the empire called Despotates.

The United States Declaration of Independence accused King George III of "a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object, evinc[ing] a layout to reduce [the people] under absolute Despotism".