Writer finds aria isn't about despots (14)

I believe the answer is:

authoritarians

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'despots' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both people as well as being plural nouns.
Perhaps there's a link between them I don't understand?

'writer finds aria isn't about' is the wordplay.
'writer' becomes 'author' (synonyms).
'finds' says to put letters next to each other.
'about' indicates anagramming the letters.
'aria'+'isnt'='ariaisnt'
'ariaisnt' is an anagram of 'itarians'.
'author'+'itarians'='AUTHORITARIANS'

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.

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