Monarch

:For other senses, see monarch (disambiguation).

Different types of monarchs

Monarchy is the form of government involving a monarch. It can be either absolute or constitutional, and constitutional monarchies may even restrict the powers of the monarch to the point where he is little more than a near-powerless figurehead, which is a common modern practice. The word monarchy can also be used about a country which has such a system. Normally however, such countries identify themselves more narrowly depending on the actual title used by the monarch – e.g., as a kingdom, grand duchy, or principality.

Related Topics:
Monarchy - Form of government - Absolute - Constitutional - Figurehead - Country - Kingdom - Grand duchy - Principality

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Elective monarchies were once common, although only a very small portion of the population was eligible to vote. As the impact of the feudal system diminished, many monarchs were eventually allowed to introduce hereditary succession, guaranteeing that the title and office will stay within the family. Today, almost all monarchies are hereditary monarchies in which the monarchs come from one royal family with the office of sovereign being passed from one family member to another upon the death or abdication of the incumbent. Existing elective monarchies include Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and the Holy See. The former system of the election of the doge in Venice is also widely known.

Related Topics:
Elective monarchies - Feudal - Hereditary succession - Hereditary monarchies - Royal family - Abdication - Malaysia - Saudi Arabia - Holy See - Doge - Venice

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A sovereign is the monarch of a sovereign state. Although non-sovereign states have often had monarchs historically (not least within the Holy Roman Empire), all European monarchs since 1918 have been sovereigns. Outside Europe there still exist several monarchs of subnational entities however, most notably in Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates. A more obscure example is that of Kings of the French Wallis and Futuna territory. In a few cases a monarch is associated with a particular group (or nation) within a state, such as Te Arikinui Te Atairangikaahu of the Maori (the Maori Queen) and Osei Tutu II of the Ashanti.

Related Topics:
Sovereign state - Holy Roman Empire - Europe - 1918 - Malaysia - United Arab Emirates - French - Wallis and Futuna - Nation - Te Arikinui Te Atairangikaahu - Maori - Maori Queen - Osei Tutu II - Ashanti

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