ABSOLUTISMS Meaning and
Definition
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Absolutism, in its broadest sense, refers to a political or philosophical doctrine that advocates for the absolute or unlimited power or authority of a single individual or entity over a given society. It is characterized by the belief that this authority is derived from divine right or is inherent in the ruler themselves, thus making them independent from any legal, moral, or constitutional constraints. Absolutisms often reject the idea of shared power or checks and balances, favoring centralized and authoritarian control.
In a narrower sense, absolutisms can also refer to specific historical instances of absolute monarchy that prevailed in Europe during the 16th to 18th centuries, most notably in France under Louis XIV. This period is commonly known as the Age of Absolutism. During this time, rulers claimed supreme authority and wielded absolute control over governance, legislation, and virtually all aspects of society, often commanding religious, military, and economic authority as well.
The ideology of absolutism has been subject to critiques and opposition throughout history, primarily by proponents of democracy, individual rights, and political liberalism. Critics argue that absolutisms can lead to abuses of power, disregard for human rights, suppression of individual freedoms, and inequality within society. In contrast, advocates argue that absolutism can provide stability, efficient decision-making, and unity in times of crisis or rapid change.
Common Misspellings for ABSOLUTISMS
- absolitism
- absolutizm
- zbsolutisms
- sbsolutisms
- wbsolutisms
- qbsolutisms
- avsolutisms
- ansolutisms
- ahsolutisms
- agsolutisms
- abaolutisms
- abzolutisms
- abxolutisms
- abdolutisms
- abeolutisms
- abwolutisms
- absilutisms
- absklutisms
- absllutisms
- absplutisms
Etymology of ABSOLUTISMS
The word "absolutism" is derived from the Latin word "absolutus", which is the past participle of "absolvere". "Absolvere" consists of two Latin roots: "ab", meaning "away" or "from", and "solvere", meaning "to loosen" or "to set free". Thus, "absolvere" originally meant "to set free" or "to release". Over time, the term evolved to refer to political and philosophical concepts characterized by unlimited or centralized authority, leading to its modern usage as "absolutism". The suffix "-ism" is added to indicate a specific ideology or belief system. Overall, the etymology of "absolutism" reflects the concept of unchallenged authority or power.
Similar spelling words for ABSOLUTISMS
- absolute,
- absolutistic,
- absolute zero,
- absolute scale,
- absoluteness,
- absolute space,
- absolutely,
- abocclusion,
- absolution,
- absolute pitch,
- absolutism,
- absolutist.
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