autocratic
ruling with unlimited power or authority
autonomy
independence: self-determination or self-governance
caste
a social class separated from others by profession, wealth, or hereditary rank
despot
a ruler with absolute power
feudal
relating to a system in which people were given protection and the use of land, in return for loyalty, payment, and services to land
hegemony
dominance, especially that of a country, region, or group over others
oligarchy
government by a few, especially by a small faction of people or families
sovereign
independent; having supreme rank or power
totalitarian
relating to a form of government with absolute and centralized control over every aspect of people’s lives
usurp
to take and hold power or rights by force and without legal authority
condemn
to express strong disapproval of
culpable
deserving of blame or punishment for being wrong, evil, or harmful
exonerate
to free from blame
extort
to obtain by force or threat
incorrigible
incapable of being corrected or reformed
malfeasance
wrongdoing or misconduct, especially by a public official
misdemeanor
a minor offense; misdeed
purloin
to steal, often in violation of trust; to commit theft
ruffian
a gangster or thug
unscrupulous
lacking moral restraint; scornful of what is right or honorable
