Despotic rule (7)
I believe the answer is:
tyranny
'despotic rule' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for tyranny that I've seen before include "Despotic rule" , "Dominance through threat of punishment and violence" , "Reign of terror" , "Cruel and arbitrary rule" , "Cruel and oppressive rule" .)