Final answer:
A cruel and unjust ruler is described as a dictator, which is a form of government characterized by a single person or a small group having absolute power, often maintained by intimidation and force. Kim Jong-Un is an example of a current dictatorial leader. In contrast to monarchies, dictatorships frequently abuse power and suppress freedoms.
Step-by-step explanation:
A cruel and unjust ruler is often known as a dictator. The term dictatorship refers to a form of government where power is held by a single individual or a very small group, who wields complete and absolute authority over the government and populace. This control is typically maintained through means such as military might, economic control, and widespread intimidation.
In the context of present and former government leaders who are generally considered dictators, Kim Jong-Un fits the description. While some dictators may be seen as "benevolent" and credited with uplifting standards of living, such as Napoleon and Anwar Sadat, others like Joseph Stalin, Adolf Hitler, and Kim Jong-Un are known for leading with fear and intimidation, severely abusing their power. This is in stark contrast to a monarch, who is a single ruler that may inherit their position in a more traditional and sometimes constitutional manner, often without the absolute power seen in dictatorships.
The highest form of political power is difficult to define absolutely as it can vary based on the form of government, but in a dictatorship, this power resides unequivocally with the dictator themselves, often without check or balance, unlike more democratic forms of government that distribute power among various branches and officials.