Legal Definitions - despotism

Definition: Despotism is a type of government where one person has complete and unlimited power. This person, known as a despot, has the ability to make decisions without any checks or balances from other people or institutions.

Examples:

• North Korea is often cited as an example of despotism, as the country is ruled by Kim Jong-un, who has complete control over all aspects of the government and society.
• During the reign of King Louis XIV in France, he was known as the "Sun King" and had absolute power over the country, making all decisions without any input from others.
• In ancient Rome, Julius Caesar was a despot who had complete control over the government and military, and was able to make decisions without any input from the Senate or other officials.

Explanation: These examples illustrate the definition of despotism because in each case, one person had complete and unchecked power over the government and society. This meant that they were able to make decisions without any input or opposition from others, which often led to abuses of power and violations of human rights. Despotism is a form of government that is often associated with tyranny and oppression, as it allows one person to have too much control over the lives of others.