absolutism

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

1. n. A political theory holding that all power should be vested in one ruler or other authority.
2. n. A form of government in which all power is vested in a single ruler or other authority.
3. n. An absolute doctrine, principle, or standard.

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. The state of being absolute. Specifically, in political science, that practice or system of government in which the power of the sovereign is unrestricted; a state so governed; despotism.
2. n. The principle of absolute individual power in government; belief in the unrestricted right of determination or disposal in a sovereign.
3. n. The theological doctrine of predestination or absolute decrees.
4. n. The metaphysical doctrines of the absolutists. Synonyms Tyranny, Autocracy, Absolutism, etc. See despotism.

Wiktionary

1. n. Positiveness; the state of being absolute.

GNU Webster's 1913

1. n. The state of being absolute; the system or doctrine of the absolute; the principles or practice of absolute or arbitrary government; despotism.
2. n. (Theol.) Doctrine of absolute decrees.

WordNet 3.0

1. n. the doctrine of an absolute being
2. n. a form of government in which the ruler is an absolute dictator (not restricted by a constitution or laws or opposition etc.)
3. n. dominance through threat of punishment and violence
4. n. the principle of complete and unrestricted power in government