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Monarchy

A monarchy is a form of government where a monarch acts as head of state, either with absolute power or in a ceremonial role, depending on the type of monarchy. The position of monarch is often hereditary and passed down within a dynasty, though some monarchies have involved election or self-proclamation of new monarchs. Today there are 43 sovereign nations with a monarch as head of state, most being constitutional monarchies with the monarch holding limited or no actual political power.

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247 views

Monarchy

A monarchy is a form of government where a monarch acts as head of state, either with absolute power or in a ceremonial role, depending on the type of monarchy. The position of monarch is often hereditary and passed down within a dynasty, though some monarchies have involved election or self-proclamation of new monarchs. Today there are 43 sovereign nations with a monarch as head of state, most being constitutional monarchies with the monarch holding limited or no actual political power.

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arieljay naungan
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Monarchy

A monarchy is a form of government in which a person, the monarch, is head of state for life or
until abdication. The political legitimacy and authority of the monarch may vary from restricted
and largely symbolic (constitutional monarchy), to fully autocratic (absolute monarchy), and can
expand across the domains of the executive, legislative, and judicial.

Richard I of England being anointed during his coronation in Westminster Abbey, from a 13th-century chronicle.

The succession of monarchs in many cases has been hereditical, often building dynastic
periods. However, elective and self-proclaimed monarchies have also happened. Aristocrats,
though not inherent to monarchies, often serve as the pool of persons to draw the monarch from
and fill the constituting institutions (e.g. diet and court), giving many monarchies oligarchic
elements.

Monarchs can carry various titles such as emperor, empress, king, queen, raja, khan, tsar, sultan,
shah, or pharaoh. Monarchies can form federations, personal unions and realms with vassals
through personal association with the monarch, which is a common reason for monarchs
carrying several titles.

Monarchies were the most common form of government until the 20th century, by which time
republics had replaced many monarchies. Today forty-three sovereign nations in the world have
a monarch, including fifteen Commonwealth realms that share King Charles III as their head of
state. Other than that, there is a range of sub-national monarchical entities. Most of the modern
monarchies tend to be constitutional monarchies, retaining under a constitution unique legal and
ceremonial roles for the monarch, exercising limited or no political power, similar to heads of
state in a parliamentary republic.

Etymology

History

Characteristics and role

Succession

Current monarchies

See also

Notes and references

External links
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