monarchys

Monarchy is a form of government in which a state is headed by a monarch, typically a king, queen, or emperor, whose position is usually inherited. In many modern monarchies, the monarch's role is largely symbolic, with real political power exercised by elected representatives and appointed ministers. The exact powers, duties, and succession rules of a monarchy vary widely from country to country. The standard plural is monarchies; monarchys is not used in standard English.

Two broad types are commonly recognized: constitutional monarchies and absolute monarchies. In constitutional monarchies, the monarch acts as head of state within a framework defined by a constitution or legal statute, while elected bodies and a prime minister or equivalent figure govern the state. Notable examples include the United Kingdom, Sweden, Japan, Canada, and Australia. In absolute monarchies, the monarch retains significant or total governing authority, often controlling government policy and security. Examples include Saudi Arabia and Brunei; Oman and Eswatini are often described as states with strong monarchical powers as well, though formal institutions vary.

Succession is a key feature; most monarchies are hereditary, passing to the monarch's heir according to established rules. Some regimes have elective or semi-elective elements or dynastic rules that influence succession. The legitimacy of a monarchy may rest on tradition, religion, or constitutional law.

Today, monarchies are among the world's oldest political forms, but the majority are constitutional, with the monarch's role largely ceremonial. The trend toward parliamentary governance and popular sovereignty continues, while many nations maintain ceremonial and cultural functions tied to their royal institutions.