We often blur lines between an autocrat, despot, dictator and tyrant. For many, they are different names of an oppressive, cruel and powerful person. But are they?

Despot (“my lord”) was originally the title given to the Byzantine Emperor, while tyrant was the title of a leader in ancient Greece called upon to bring internal/external political/economic stability.

Tyrants in business might have moderate success. Shaw and others expressed admiration for modern dictators/tyrants such as Mussolini, Stalin, …

Among top ten worst dictators, many can be nicely described by the dictators’ poem.

Lastly, check your innate dictatorship level by passing this test.