Despotism
Despotism is a
form of government by a single authority, either an individual (ie.
autocracy) or tightly knit group (ie.
oligarchy), 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. This form of despotism was the first known form of statehood and civilization; the
Pharaoh of
Egypt is a hallmark of a classical despot.
The term now implies
tyrannical rule. However, under the concept of
benevolent or
enlightened 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 probably largely triggered by the ideals of
the Enlightenment.
Even though the word has modern pejorative meaning, it was once a legitimate title of office in the
Byzantine Empire. Just as the word "Byzantine" is often used in a pejorative way (for specific reasons by certain Enlightenment authors wishing to express disapproval of that period in history), the word Despot was equally turned around for negative meaning. In fact, a Despot was an Imperial title, first used under
Manuel I Komnenos (1143–1180) who created it to his appointed heir
Alexius-Béla. According to Gyula Moravcsik this title was a simple translation of Béla's Hungarian title 'úr', but other historians believe it comes from the old Roman title 'dominus'.
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 an elaborate costume similar to the Emperor's and had many privileges. Despots ruled over parts of the empire called
Despotates. In the
Orthodox Liturgy, if celebrated in
Greek, the
priest is addressed by the
deacon as "despot" even today.
*
Dictionary of the History of Ideas: despotism
*
Archive.org - Despotism Video - 1946Despotism also has meaning in an ecological context. Despotism is a social system in Animals with one individual dominating the rest of the flock, which are all equally subservient to him and of equal rank with each other.
*
Enlightened despot*
Monarchy*
Oligarchy*
Despotate
