absolutism

noun

Etymology: First attested in 1753 (in the theological sense); attested in 1830 in the political sense. From absolute + -ism, based after French absolutisme.

1. Doctrine of preordination; doctrine of absolute decrees; doctrine that God acts in an absolute manner.
2. The principles or practice of absolute or arbitrary government; Synonym of despotism.

   “The element of absolutism and prelacy was more controlling in the counsels of the rival corporation.”

   “As absolutism became more consolidated in Europe, and particularly in France, such nonabsolutist states tended to define themselves in opposition to their absolutist rivals: hence, those features of their government which differed from absolutism tended to be given special prominence.”

3. Belief in a metaphysical absolute; belief in Absolute.
4. Positiveness; the state of being absolute.
5. The characteristic of being absolute in nature or scope; absoluteness.

   “It was the absolutism of his ambition to be a perfect writer (and perhaps also the perfect son) that imperiled him.”