George Washington

The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism. But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism.

American President

Thomas Jefferson

The whole commerce between master and slave is a perpetual exercise of the most boisterous passions, the most unremitting despotism on the one part, and degrading submissions on the other. Our children see this, and learn to imitate it.

Abraham Lincoln

Our defense is in the preservation of the spirit which prizes liberty as a heritage of all men, in all lands, everywhere. Destroy this spirit and you have planted the seeds of despotism around your own doors.

Marquis de Lafayette

I am astonished but not discouraged by my enormous responsibility. Devoted both from affection and duty to the cause of the people, I shall combat with equal ardor aristocracy, despotism, and faction.

French Revolutionary

Denis Kearney

To add to our misery and despair, a bloated aristocracy has sent to China - the greatest and oldest despotism in the world - for a cheap working slave.

American Politician

William Wells Brown

Despotism increases in severity with the number of despots; the responsibility is more divided, and the claims are more numerous.

American Activist

John Stuart Mill

The despotism of custom is everywhere the standing hindrance to human advancement.

English Philosopher

Thomas Paine

The strength and power of despotism consists wholly in the fear of resistance.

English Activist

Plato

Greek Philosopher

Victor Hugo

French Author

Used to describe oppressive regimes in history and current affairs.

Political Context

Implies one person's unrestricted control without checks or balances.

Absolute Rule

Despotism suggests an unjust or abusive system, viewed negatively.

Negative Connotation

Highlights abuse of power in personal or institutional relationships.

Power Misuse

Can describe overbearing control in workplaces, families, or organizations.

Non-political Domination

It can evoke a strong emotional response towards the oppressor.

Emotional Effect

 While their opponents accused them of despotism, wanting to maintain absolute power in the central government, their real motives were mostly practical. Changing the constitution when it had already been ratified by some states could complicate the entire process. More importantly, Madison felt that people's rights were already guaranteed

Why wasn’t the Bill of...

 But the really, I think, dangerous thing about skepticism with regard to truth is that it leads to despotism. "Man is the measure of all things"