absolutism

/'æbsəlu:tizm/

Thân thiện

The king's absolutism was unchallenged by any parliament or law.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A political theory or system where a ruler holds complete and unrestricted power: Absolutism refers to a form of government in which a single leader, such as a monarch, possesses ultimate authority and is not bound by any constitution, laws, or checks from other branches of government or the people.
   • The principle or practice of absolute authority: It denotes the doctrine that political power should be absolute and centralized.
   • The state of being absolute or unconditional: In a broader philosophical sense, it can refer to the belief in an absolute being or the principle of absoluteness in any domain.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The king's rule was characterized by absolutism, with no parliament to limit his decrees.
  • Philosophers debated the merits of absolutism versus constitutional monarchy.
  • The era was marked by the absolutism of several European monarchs.

Advanced Usage

• "Moral absolutism": The ethical view that certain actions are absolutely right or wrong, regardless of context.
  • His stance was one of moral absolutism, refusing any compromise on the issue.
• "Epistemological absolutism": The philosophical position that absolute truth is attainable.
  • The theory was criticized for its epistemological absolutism.

Variants and Related Words

• Absolutist (noun): A person who supports or practices absolutism.
  • The absolutist believed the monarch's power was divinely ordained.
• Absolutist (adjective): Relating to or characteristic of absolutism.
  • An absolutist regime often suppresses dissent.
• Absolute (adjective): Complete, not limited or restricted.
  • The ruler demanded absolute obedience.

Synonyms

• Autocracy: A system of government by one person with absolute power.
• Despotism: The exercise of absolute power, especially in a cruel and oppressive way.
• Tyranny: Cruel and oppressive government or rule.
• Dictatorship: Government by a dictator with absolute power.

Related Phrases

• "Divine right of kings": A doctrine in support of monarchical absolutism, asserting that a monarch derives the right to rule directly from the will of God.
  • The king justified his absolutism by appealing to the divine right of kings.

Related Idioms

• "Rule with an iron fist": To govern in a very strict and often cruel manner, characteristic of absolutist control.
  • The historical dictator was known to rule with an iron fist.

Học thuật

Noun

1. the doctrine of an absolute being
2. the principle of complete and unrestricted power in government
3. a form of government in which the ruler is an absolute dictator (not restricted by a constitution or laws or opposition etc.)
4. dominance through threat of punishment and violence

Từ đồng nghĩa

• totalitarianism
• totalism
• tyranny
• despotism