despotism
/ˈdespətɪzəm/noun
mass noun
1- the exercise of absolute power, especially in a cruel and oppressive way（尤指严酷的）专制政治; 专制; 暴政：
the ideology of enlightened despotism.
开明专制的意识形态。
1.1
- count noun a country or political system where the ruler holds absolute power专制国家; 专制政治制度。
词源
early 18th cent.: from French despotisme, from despote （see DESPOT）.