Despotism it is a form of government where all power is concentrated in just one ruler, in an isolated and arbitrary way. Despotism is practiced by a despot; an individual who uses his power to bully and overwhelm those who don't follow its rules.
Despotism is considered one of the simplest forms of government, as there is no concern and need to create laws or a constitution to guide the nation. The main characteristic of a despotic government is the power above reason.
Etymologically, the word despotism emerged from the greek despots, which literally means "sir" in Portuguese. This is because, originally, the despotic system was considered a title of power, attributed to a paternal authority (in a patriarchal regime) or to the owner of a large territorial area.
The concept of despotism is intrinsically related to the ideals of dictatorship, absolutism and tyranny. However, the difference between a despotic government and a tyrant or dictatorial is how they are interpreted by society. In despotism, for example, the oppressed population is unable to overcome the sovereign, the contrary to the dictatorship or tyranny, in which the ruler must be able to stand out from the "power of the people".
The despot rulers were strongly present throughout antiquity, especially in Greece and Rome.
In contemporary times, even in so-called democratic societies, models of despotic governments, in which oppression and submission of the population prevailed before the figure of a ruler.
Among the most popular despots in human history are Napoleon, adolf hitler, Fidel Castro, Mussolini, Stalin, Saddam Hussein. Brazil went through two governments with despotism, that of the Marshal Floriano Peixoto and the dictator Getulio Vargas.
Enlightened Despotism
O enlightened despotism it was a form of government adopted by eighteenth-century kings as an alternative to the Absolutist Monarchy, which was in decline because of Enlightenment ideas.
Some European kings decided to introduce Enlightenment characteristics and ideals into their governments, without obviously altering the absolutist principles of the monarchy. Thus came the Enlightened Despots, in other words, the Enlightened Absolutist Kings.
Learn more about Meaning of Enlightenment and about some characteristics of absolutism.
pombaline despotism
O pombaline despotism was the name given to the model of enlightened despotism exercised by Portugal in the reign of D. José I (1750-1777), through the representation of Count Sebastião José de Carvalho e Melo, known as Marquês de Pombal.
Marquis of Pombal its main goal was to strengthen the power of the state. For this, it took a series of measures ranging from the expulsion of the Jesuits from Portugal and their colonies, the restructuring of tax collection, education, the Courts and the limitation of the powers of the Inquisition.
See also the meaning of absolutism it's the meaning of tyranny.