Definition of DESPOTISM in Black's Law Dictionary 4th Edition – Legal dictionary – Glossary of legal terms.
Definition of DESPOTISM
That abuse of government where the sovereign power is not divided, but united in the hands of a single man, whatever may be his official title. It is not, properly, a form of government. Toullier, Dr.Civ.Fr. tit. prel. n. 32; Rutherf. Inst. b. 1, c. 20, § 1.
"Despotism" is not exactly synonymous with "autocracy," for the former involves the idea of tyranny or abuse of power, which is not necessarily implied by the latter. Every despotism is autocratic; but an autocracy is not necessarily despotic.
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That's the definition of DESPOTISM in Black's Law Dictionary 4th Edition – Legal dictionary – Glossary of legal terms. Courtesy of Cekhukum.com.
