But in the eyes of the ancients, the distinction was blurry. A King and a Tyrant have the same powers. Similarly, aristocracy and oligarchy take the same form as do democracy and republicanism. The difference between mob rule and modern liberal democracy is not always so clear. Those that argued there was a difference usually centered on a combination of intent and being right. A sole ruler who served for the common good was a monarch. A sole ruler who served for his own interest is a dictator. So the question resolves to is entrenchment of the ruler or ruler as the result of a contrived war for the common good of the ruled or for the private good of the ruler?