Positive Despotism: An Account of Aristotle's 'Beneficent Despot' and M. Abdouh's 'Just Despot'

Essay from the year 2010 in the subject Politics - Political Theory and the History of Ideas Journal, grade: B+, The American University in Cairo, language: English, abstract: A personal despot is the 'unlimited, unchecked, unrestricted totalitarian exercise of governmental powers, also a system of rule whereby the rights and liberties of individuals are ignored' (Raymond). A Personal Despot is a dictator or a tyrant by nature. This is basically what the definition state. However, some philosophers and thinkers believe that despots do not necessarily have to be unjust and totalitarian. Aristotle, one of the most influential political thinkers and philosophers came up with the idea of a Beneficent Despot. The argument basically states that this ruler is a despot, a totalitarian individual however; he can still benefit the state. Aristotle describes in details how the Beneficent Despot acts and how he maintain his authority in accordance to the state's benefit and wellbeing.