Difference between revisions of "Absolute monarchy"
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| − | + | [[Image:King David.jpg|right|thumb|300px|King [[David]] playing the [[harp]] (Domenico Zampieri 1581–1641)]] | |
| − | + | 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]], [[Brunei]] and, until recently, [[Kuwait]] and [[Nepal]]. There have been good absolute monarchs, for example, [[Israel|Israel's]] [[King David]], and bad ones. | |
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| − | + | Contrary to popular opinion, absolute monarchies were never the norm in [[Medieval Europe]], but [[Feudalism|feudal]] monarchies. 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')"''. | |
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| − | + | 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. | |
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| − | + | The [[Roman Empire]] 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. | |
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| − | + | ==See also== | |
| − | + | * [[Constitutional monarchy]] | |
| + | * [[Aristocracy]] | ||
| + | * [[Oligarchy]] | ||
| + | * [[Elitism]] | ||
| − | + | [[Category:Forms of Government]] | |
| − | + | [[Category:Dictatorships]] | |
| − | + | [[Category:International Political Terms]] | |
| − | + | [[Category:Political Ideologies]] | |
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Latest revision as of 03:01, March 28, 2024
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 powers. Quite rare in the modern world, examples include: Saudi Arabia, Brunei and, until recently, Kuwait and Nepal. There have been good absolute monarchs, for example, Israel's King David, and bad ones.
Contrary to popular opinion, absolute monarchies were never the norm in Medieval Europe, but feudal monarchies. 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 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 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 emperors either came to power by a military coup, or in a few cases were appointed on merit by their predecessor.