Did britain run a dictatorial government?
It depends on what you mean by dictatorial. In the late 18th century, England’s parlimentary system was controlled by the land owning class. Universal sufferage – a hallmark of democracy – was not yet part of the political system. From the point of view of England’s colonies, the government was not particularly responsive to their needs. The land owning and mercantile classes in the American colonies viewed themselves as Englishmen, and as such, thought they should be allowed the control over their interests which the English had at home. The government however, viewed them as colonials and subject to control as such. Not surprisingly, the American colonials viewed this treatment as despotism – what might now be called dictatorial. On the other hand, if you compare the governnment of England with that of France or Spain, then it was far less absolutist and far less despotic.
