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"Dictator" implies illegitimacy, unpredictability, or spontaneity -- coming to power by some sort of coup or political surprise. More importantly, it implies be
by clock_tower 11y ago
"Dictator" implies illegitimacy, unpredictability, or spontaneity -- coming to power by some sort of coup or political surprise. More importantly, it implies being entirely unfettered by law, custom, and the wills of one's subjects -- like the Roman dictators were -- which isn't even true of Cromwell, and certainly isn't true of the kings.
- ZeroGravitas 11y agoYou'll find in most definitions, people go out of their way to not lump Kings in with dictators. Because Kings are the dictators we like for some weird reason. And it usually leads to bizarre contortions. Even with your very specific definition, it pretty much applies to a whole bunch of kings. edit: hah, found a blatant example from dictionary.com Dictator: a person exercising absolute power, especially a ruler who has absolute, unrestricted control in a government without hereditary succession. How weird that you escape the title "dictator" just by dictating that your kids will be the dictator after you!
- desas 11y agoNot sure how well that worked for Richard Cromwell
- dalke 11y agoWhich makes Kim Jong-un not a dictator.
- ZeroGravitas 11y agoRelevant Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pnt_uT5YzQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pnt_uT5YzQ
- dalke 11y agoNice.