In What Way Is Slavery a Form of Despotism Universalized and Generalized Throughout the Social and Political System, Essay Example

Slavery can be viewed as a form of despotism to the extent that the life of the slave is placed in the hands of a master. As a political system, despotism denotes the hegemonic rule of a singular authoritarian figure. Slavery thus mimics despotism, as the slave is subject to the authoritarian command of the master.

The definition of a “slave” is “one that is completely subservient to a dominating influence.” Slaves were defined as “things,” rather than people. They could be bought, traded, sold, given as gifts or promised for debt by their owners. Many were bought to perform basic or domestic labor. They were denied the right to refuse work, demand compensation, and their freedom. The owners would brand their slaves with a hot iron and in some societies it was even legal for owners to kill their slaves. The male slaves that were stronger were given more demanding agricultural tasks while the weaker or sick slaves were given lighter, less physical tasks. Such conditions of the existence of the slave demonstrate how the slave’s life is one entirely determined by the master.

The legalization of slavery can be viewed as the practicing of despotism on a micro-level. It is therefore a universalization and generalization of despotism, inasmuch as slavery is made legal on a particlar  level. The slave law and punishment came about for “masters” to have even more control by introducing rules and laws that governed every aspect of the slaves’ life. Punishment for when these rules and laws were broken was harsh. Slaves were whipped, abused and in the worst cases, hanged. In the case of American history therefore, the legal grounds for slavery indicate the paradoxical situation of a government with the structure of a republic allowing for the practicing of despotism on a micro-level. The “master” was “one who claims and exercises a right of property in the person of a fellow-man.” The law gave the “master” the absolute power over the slave. He had the right to do whatever he pleased with him/her and would not be held accountable for his actions. The “slave” was a human being denied all their “God given” rights and was reduced to a “chattel” in the eye of the law and their owner.

Slavery is one of the most extreme examples of a “power relation.” The “power relation” has three different parts. The first part is when someone uses a threatening or violent way to control another. The second is the psychological influence one might have on another. One might call it the gift of persuasion and/or manipulation. Third and lastly, is the actual authority. “The means of transforming force into right, and obedience into duty.” – Jean Jacques Rosseau — The difference between slavery and any other kind of power relation is simple. Slavery is uncompromising, inhumane, and completely wrong. If one looks at any other power relationships within a household; a man and wife, a parent and child, even a dog and its owner, you’ll see that there are rules and laws not only for the individual that has the “power,” but also for the person that may not be as powerful. You will also see that if any rules and/or laws were broken by any party, it wouldn’t matter whether they were the powerful or the powerless, Slavery can thus be considered a radical form of despotism, insofar as it is the denial of the basic rights of the slave in favor of a decision for the absolute authority of the master.