The following is a list of national leaders (heads of state and/or heads of government) commonly regarded as modern dictators. This usage usually carries a pejorative sense and refers to a ruler who: * is an absolute ruler of a sovereign state; * 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; * may develop a cult of personality; * may be autocratic, oppressive, despotic or tyrannical.