What does absolutism mean?
Absolutism is a noun describing a system of rule in which a single authority — traditionally a monarch — holds complete, unchecked power, free from constitutional limits, parliaments, or other restraints. It is most closely associated with early modern Europe, particularly France under Louis XIV, where kings claimed to rule by divine right and answered to no earthly institution. Beyond politics, the term extends to any doctrine asserting absolute authority, as in 'moral absolutism', which holds that certain principles apply universally without exception. The word generally carries negative connotations today, evoking tyranny, arbitrariness, and the suppression of dissent, though historians sometimes note that historical absolutist rulers were still constrained by custom, religion, and practical realities. Absolutism contrasts sharply with constitutionalism and democracy, making it a key term in discussions of how power is limited, justified, and resisted throughout history.
nounThe political doctrine that a ruler or government should hold absolute, unrestricted power. More broadly, any principle or practice of unlimited authority in thought, morality, or governance.
- A form of government in which the sovereign holds supreme, unrestricted authority, unrestrained by laws, constitutions, or other institutions.
- Any doctrine or system advocating absolute power or authority, whether political, moral, or philosophical (e.g. moral absolutism).
"The king's absolutism left no room for parliament, courts, or dissent."
"Under Louis XIV, French absolutism reached its height, with the king answerable to no one but God."
"Critics accused the committee of moral absolutism for refusing to consider any exceptions to its rules."
Rarely used; the plural appears mainly in academic writing comparing different national or doctrinal forms of absolutism.
"Comparative studies have examined the distinct absolutisms of France, Prussia, and Russia."
Louis XIV reportedly summed up absolutism in one line — 'L'État, c'est moi': the state is me.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of absolutism
Absolutism derives from the adjective 'absolute', which comes from Latin 'absolutus', meaning 'loosened from, set free, unrestricted' — the past participle of 'absolvere', to loosen or absolve. The term emerged in European political discourse during the 18th and 19th centuries to describe the doctrines of royal power asserted by monarchs in earlier centuries, notably under the theory of the divine right of kings. It shares this Latin root with related words such as 'absolute', 'absolution', and 'absolve'.
Related word forms
How absolutism is actually used
Absolutism is primarily used in historical and political contexts, often when discussing early modern European monarchies such as those of France, Spain, and Russia. In ethical or philosophical writing it can also describe rigid adherence to fixed principles without exception. The word carries a largely negative connotation in modern usage, implying arbitrary or oppressive rule.
Easily confused with absolutism
Autocracy refers to rule by one person with power concentrated in an individual, while absolutism specifically denotes the claim that such power is unlimited and not subject to legal or institutional restraint.
Totalitarianism is a modern 20th-century concept involving state control over all aspects of public and private life, whereas absolutism typically describes early modern monarchies whose authority, though unchecked, did not penetrate everyday life to the same degree.