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The following is a list of national leaders ([[Head of state|heads of state]] and/or [[Head of government|heads of government]]) commonly regarded as modern [[dictator]]s. This usage usually carries a pejorative sense and refers to a ruler who:  

The following is a list of national leaders ([[Head of state|heads of state]] and/or [[Head of government|heads of government]]) commonly regarded as modern [[dictator]]s. This usage usually carries a pejorative sense and refers to a ruler who:  

* is an [[absolute ruler]] of a [[state|sovereign state]];

* is an [[absolute ruler]] of a [[state|sovereign state]]; but without hereditary ascension;

* governs outside the otherwise accepted [[rule of law]];

* governs outside the otherwise accepted [[rule of law]];

* commonly (but not necessarily) gained power through [[fraud]] or a [[coup d'état]], or resorts to them to stay in power;

* commonly (but not necessarily) gained power through [[fraud]] or a [[coup d'état]], or resorts to them to stay in power;