Absolute monarchy

An absolute monarchy is a system where one person holds all political power. This leader is known as the sovereign. In this system, the sovereign is the sole source of authority. They are not limited by a constitution or a legislature. They are also not checked by other officials or laws. This makes them much more powerful than leaders in a constitutional monarchy. In a constitutional monarchy, like the United Kingdom, power is shared or restricted.

The mechanics of absolute rule allow a monarch to control many parts of government. For example, a monarch can hold legislative, executive, and judicial powers. This means they can make laws and carry them out. They can also act as the highest judge. In France, Louis XIV held these powers in his own person. He could make or cancel laws at will. He also served as the supreme judicial authority. This allowed him to condemn people to death without any right of appeal.

Different types of absolute rule have existed throughout history. Some monarchs use the concept of "divine right." This is the idea that their authority comes directly from God. Many European kings used this to claim their power could not be limited. Other leaders used different religious justifications. In the Ottoman Empire, Sultans were called Padishahs, meaning "Great King." They often used titles like "Shadow of God on Earth." In Imperial China, emperors ruled through the Mandate of Heaven. The Inca ruler, called a Sapa Inca, was seen as the son of the sun god.

History shows many different paths for these rulers. In Denmark-Norway, a written constitution in 1665 actually gave the monarch absolute power. This law allowed the king to abolish the Council of the Realm. In Prussia, the House of Hohenzollern ruled as an absolute monarchy from 1701 to 1848. Frederick the Great practiced "enlightened absolutism." He used his power to abolish torture and create a civil code. He also promoted a secondary education system that influenced many other countries.

In Russia, absolute rule lasted for a very long time. The Romanov dynasty ruled for three centuries. Peter the Great strengthened the central power of the monarch. He created a bureaucracy to help run the state. Russia was the last European country to end absolute monarchy. This happened in the 20th century after the Russian Empire collapsed following World War I. In 1918, the Bolsheviks executed the Romanov family. This ended their long period of rule.

There are also unique examples of absolute rule in small states. Vatican City is the smallest state in the world by area and population. It has only about 764 residents as of 2023. It is an elective monarchy, which is very different from most others. The Pope is the absolute monarch, but he is elected. A group called a papal conclave chooses the next Pope. This choice requires a two-thirds supermajority. Citizenship in Vatican City is based on one's job for the Holy See.

Some absolute monarchies still exist in the modern world. In Saudi Arabia, the King follows Sharia and the Quran. There are no national elections or political parties allowed. The Sultan of Oman is both the head of state and the head of government. He also serves as the prime minister and supreme commander of the armed forces. In Brunei, Eswatini, and Qatar, absolute monarchies also exist. These systems remain very different from the democratic models used in many other nations.