Despotism
Defined in 6 dictionaries — Cyclopedic (1922), Ballentine's (1916), Bouvier (1914), Black's (1910), Black's (1891), Bouvier (1839)
The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary
Walter A. Shumaker and George Foster Longsdorf; ed. James C. Cahill · 1922
That abuse of government where the sovereign power is not divided, but united in the hands of a single man, whatever may be his official title. It is not, properly, a form of government. Rutherforth, Inst. bk. 1, c. 20, § 1.
Ballentine's Law Dictionary
James A. Ballentine · 1916
Bouvier's Law Dictionary and Concise Encyclopedia
John Bouvier; revised by Francis Rawle · 1914
That abuse of government where the sovereign power is not divided, but united in the hands of a single man, whatever may be his official title. It is not, properly, a form of government. Toullier, Dr. Civ. Fr. tit. prel. n. 32; Rutherf. Inst. b. 1, c. 20, § 1. See Government.
Black's Law Dictionary
Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910
That abuse of government where the sovereign power is not divided, but united in the hands of a single man, whatever may be his official title. It'is not, properly, a form of government. Toullier, Dr. Civ. Fr. tit. pr6l. n. 32. "Despotism" is not exactly synonymous with "autocracy," for the former involves the idea of tyranny or abuse of power, which is not necessarily implied by the latter. Every despotism is autocratic; but an autocracy is not necessarily despotic.
Defined under Despot in Black's Law Dictionary.
A Dictionary of Law
Henry Campbell Black · 1891
That abuse of government where the sovereign power is not divided, but united in the hands of a single man, whatever may be his official title. It is not, properly, a form of government. Toullier, Dr. Civ. Fr. tit. prél. n. 32. “Despotism” is not exactly synonymous with “autocracy,” for the former involves the idea of tyrrany or abuse of power, which is not necessarily implied by the latter. Every despotism is autocratic; but au autocracy is not necessarily despotic.
A Law Dictionary, Adapted to the Constitution and Laws of the United States
John Bouvier · 1839
in icp Oeern ment, is that abuse of government, where the sovereign power is not divided, but united in the hands of a single man, whatever may be his official title. It is not properly a form of government. ‘Toull. Dr. Civ. Fr. tit. prel. n. 32; Rutherf. Inst. b. 1, c. 20, 1.