ABSOLUTE POWER Meaning and
Definition
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Absolute power refers to complete and unrestricted authority or control exercised by an individual or a governing body over a particular domain or population. It implies that the entity possessing absolute power has unlimited jurisdiction and is not subject to any external limitations, constraints, or checks and balances.
In the context of politics and governance, absolute power often refers to a form of authoritarian or totalitarian rule, where a single person or small group holds supreme authority, without any accountability or accountability to the people. This kind of power allows the holder to make decisions and impose policies without any opposition or consideration for the rights, opinions, or well-being of others.
Absolute power is often associated with dictators and despots who maintain their grip on power by suppressing dissent and controlling all aspects of society, including media, finances, and institutions. It is characterized by the absence of checks and balances, leading to potential abuse and corruption. This unchecked authority can result in the violation of human rights, suppression of democracy, and economic inequality.
The concept of absolute power has significant historical precedents, notably in monarchies and imperial systems, where the ruler's authority was regarded as divinely ordained and above reproach. Over time, the idea of limited and constitutional powers emerged to establish boundaries to prevent the concentration of absolute power, protect individual rights, and foster democratic governance.
Common Misspellings for ABSOLUTE POWER
- zbsolute power
- sbsolute power
- wbsolute power
- qbsolute power
- avsolute power
- ansolute power
- ahsolute power
- agsolute power
- abaolute power
- abzolute power
- abxolute power
- abdolute power
- abeolute power
- abwolute power
- absilute power
- absklute power
- absllute power
- absplute power
- abs0lute power
- abs9lute power
Etymology of ABSOLUTE POWER
The word "absolute" comes from the Latin word "absolutus", which is the past participle of "absolvere". "Absolvere" combines the prefix "ab-" (meaning "from" or "away") and the verb "solvere" (meaning "to loosen" or "to release"). In Latin, "absolutus" originally referred to the act of setting free or releasing someone from their responsibilities or debts. Over time, the meaning evolved to encompass the idea of something being complete, total, or unrestricted.
The word "power" comes from the Old English word "pōwer", which is derived from the Germanic word "pozan" or "puoan". This word, in turn, can be connected to the Proto-Indo-European root "*poti-" or "*potey-", meaning "to be able" or "to be powerful".
Idioms with the word ABSOLUTE POWER
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Absolute power corrupts absolutely.
The idiom "Absolute power corrupts absolutely" means that when a person or entity is given complete authority or control, they are likely to become corrupted and misuse that power. It suggests that unlimited or unchecked power tends to corrupt the mind and morals of those who possess it.
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power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely
The idiom "power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely" means that people who possess power are likely to be corrupted by it, and those who have absolute power are even more prone to corruption. It suggests that the more authority and control a person has, the more likely they are to misuse their power for personal gain or to act in morally questionable ways, as unchecked power can lead to arrogance, abuse, and unethical behavior.
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