Absolutism

Absolutism political system in which total power is vested in a single individual or a group of rulers. Today the term is usually associated with the government of a dictator. It is considered the opposite of constitutional government such as that found in the world's democracies. Absolutism is distinguished from democracy by the unlimited power claimed for absolute rulers as contrasted with the constitutional limitations placed on heads of state in democratic governments.

The development of modern absolutism began with the emergence of European nation-states towards the end of the 15th century and flourished for more than 200 years. It is, perhaps, best exemplified by the reign (1643-1715) of King Louis XIV of France. His declaration L'état, c'est moi (“I am the state”) sums up the concept of the divine right of kings neatly. A series of revolutions, beginning with the Glorious Revolution in England (1688), gradually forced the monarchs of Europe to yield their power to parliamentary governments.

Today absolute rulers are found in many countries, including some of the remaining Communist nations and various Latin American, Middle Eastern, and African countries.