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An '''absolute [[monarchy]]''' is a [[country]] that is ruled by a [[monarch]], with little or no [[democratic]] or other forms of limitation to his powers. Quite rare in the modern world, examples include: [[Saudi Arabia]] and, until recently, [[Kuwait]] and [[Nepal]].

An '''absolute [[monarchy]]''' is a form of [[government]] where a [[country]] that is ruled by a [[monarch]] who has little or no [[democratic]] limitation to his [[power]]s. Quite rare in the modern [[world]], examples include: [[Saudi Arabia]] and, until recently, [[Kuwait]] and [[Nepal]]. There have been good absolute monarchs, for example, [[Israel|Israel's]] [[King David]], and bad ones like [[King John]] of [[England]].

Contrary to popular opinion, absolute monarchies were never the norm in [[Medieval]] [[Europe]], where some form of representative bodies always tended to exist. What happened was that ''after'' the end of the medieval period, some monarchies sought to increase their power, the prime example being [[France]], which had indeed become an absolute monarchy by the 17th century. In [[Kingdom of Great Britain|Great Britain]] (from 1801 the [[United Kingdom]]), on the other hand, went in totally the opposite direction, and the monarchs were gradually stripped of their powers until very few remain today.

Contrary to popular opinion, absolute monarchies were never the norm in [[Medieval Europe]], where some form of representative bodies always tended to exist. What happened was that ''after'' the end of the medieval period, some monarchies sought to increase their power, the prime example being [[France]], which had indeed become an absolute monarchy by the 17th century. [[Louis XIV]] of France epitomizes the rule of an absolute monarch with his declaration ''"L'etat c'est moi. ('I am the state')"''.

 

In [[Kingdom of Great Britain|Great Britain]] (from 1801 the [[United Kingdom]]), on the other hand, went in totally the opposite direction, and the monarchs were gradually stripped of their powers until very few remain today.  

The [[Roman Empire]], though it started out as a [[republic]], evolved into an absolute military [[dictatorship]]. Whether it was ever a hereditary monarchy, however, is debatable at best. While certain families did manage to found dynasties that lasted for two or three generations, the vast majority of [[emperor]]s either came to power by a military [[coup]], or in a few cases were appointed on merit by their predecessor.

The [[Roman Empire]], though it started out as a [[republic]], evolved into an absolute military [[dictatorship]]. Whether it was ever a hereditary monarchy, however, is debatable at best. While certain families did manage to found dynasties that lasted for two or three generations, the vast majority of [[emperor]]s either came to power by a military [[coup]], or in a few cases were appointed on merit by their predecessor.

==See also==

==See also==