Absolute rule is a term used to describe a system of government where the ruler has complete and unrestricted power. Its pronunciation is /ˈæbsəluːt ruːl/. The stress is on the second syllable of "absolute" and "rule" is pronounced with a long "u" sound. The "b" in "absolute" is silent and the vowel sound in the first syllable is pronounced as short "a". The phonetic transcription helps learners to pronounce words accurately and understand the English language precisely.
Absolute rule refers to a system of governance where a single individual or a small group holds unlimited power and authority over a nation or state, without any significant checks or balances. This term typically denotes a form of autocratic or authoritarian regime in which the ruler exercises total control and makes all decisions without consultation or accountability to any other entity.
Under absolute rule, the ruler has absolute power over all aspects of government, including legislation, administration, judiciary, and the military. They can govern without any legal restraints, and their authority is often hereditary, passed down from one generation to another.
In such systems, absolute rulers are often accorded titles like monarch, emperor, or dictator. Their commands are unquestionable, and dissent is usually suppressed through oppression, censorship, or force. The personal interests and desires of the ruler take precedence over the welfare of the citizens, and the ruler's word becomes law.
Historically, examples of absolute rule can be found in monarchies, such as the absolute monarchy of Louis XIV in France or the Tsarist regime in Russia before the Bolshevik Revolution. Modern examples include countries like North Korea, where the ruling Kim dynasty exercises total control.
Overall, absolute rule refers to an extreme form of governance where a single individual or group wields unrestricted power and authority, often resulting in limited freedom, individual rights violations, and lack of democratic principles.
The word "absolute" comes from the Latin word "absolutus", which is the past participle of the verb "absolvere". In Latin, "absolvere" means "to loosen, release, set free", derived from the prefix "ab-" (meaning "away, from") and the verb "solvere" (meaning "to loosen, to free").
The word "rule" comes from the Old English word "rēol", which means "a customary rule of conduct". This Old English word is derived from the Old Norse word "regla" and the Old High German word "regula", both meaning "straight stick, bar, or ruler".
Therefore, when combined, the term "absolute rule" implies the concept of a ruler or governing system that is unrestricted, complete, and holds comprehensive authority without limitations or restraints.