Monarchy

A monarchy is a form of government in which total sovereignty is invested in one person, (generally a King or a Queen) called a monarch, who holds the position until death or abdication. Monarchs usually both hold and achieve their position through the right of hereditary succession (e.g., they were related, often the son or daughter, of the previous monarch), although there have been elective monarchies, where the monarch holds the position after being elected: the papacy is sometimes called an elective monarchy. Monarchies can be of various types - constitutional, absolute, theocratic, elective and many more.

History of Monarchies

The first monarchies were likely created together with agriculture, as the stratification and specialization of society required a ruler to "direct" society.

Modern Monarchies

Currently, the world has 43 states ran by a monarchy.

Theocratic Monarchies

1. Vatican City is a theocratic monarchy located in the Italian peninsula. It is governed by the Pope. It is also an elective monarchy.
2. Saudi Arabia is a theocratic monarchy located in the Arabian Peninsula. It is governed by a King which follows Islam.