Monarchy
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A monarchy is a hereditary form of government in which political power is legally passed on to the family members of the monarch, a head of state who rules for life. While most monarchs gain their pow
The Weld-Blundell Prism, inscribed with the Sumerian King List
King George III of the United Kingdom, coronation portrait by Allan Ramsay, 1762
King Salman of Saudi Arabia is an absolute monarch.
King Leopold I, an elected founder of the hereditary monarchy of Belgium
Elective monarchy
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An elective monarchy is a monarchy where the ruling head is elected instead of strictly inheriting power. The manner of election, the nature of candidate qualifications, and the electors vary from cas
Monarchy
…who rules for life. While most monarchs gain their power based on various hereditary succession laws, they can occasionally gain their authority via election. Monarchies have historically been a common form of government. Nearly half of all independent states at the start of the 19th century were monarchies…
The Republic at the Zenith of Its Power. Golden Liberty. The Royal Election of 1573, by Jan Matejko