Such a system of state power is the oldest on our planet. Countries with a monarchical form of government have always existed. Signs of the monarchy began to appear even in the most ancient political formations of the planet that existed in Mesopotamia. They could have features, characteristic properties,
however, their essence was reduced to one. Ancient Egypt, China, the states of Mesopotamia and the Inca Empire are all countries with a monarchical form of government. The same applies to the vast majority of medieval states. With the exception, perhaps, of some noble republics: Florence, Venice or Novgorod in Russia in a certain period. At the same time, this system also had many variations in different parts of the world, special features. Almost always, countries with a monarchical form of government were characterized by unlimited power of the sovereign. This was especially true of Eastern societies, where in the face of the ruler, all his subjects were considered slaves. Any Turkish vizier or Chinese official at one moment could be at the bottom of the system. Conversely, there are well-known and significantcases of the rise of yesterday's slaves due to personal connections with the rulers. In Europe, there was a more rigid hierarchy. The feudal lords had certain inalienable rights that protected them from the arbitrariness of their superiors (including the king). At the same time, without having a noble origin, it was hardly possible to get to the top steps of the hierarchy. However, over time, the position of European kings has somewhat strengthened.
New time
The Renaissance and the change of feudal society by capitalist relations de alt heavy blows to the absolute rights and claims of kings to power. Countries with a monarchical form of government in Europe staggered. The enlightening ideas of Locke, Rousseau, Hobbes and other thinkers significantly undermined the previously held notion of the inevitability of submission to the monarch. The first practical result of the democratization of European minds was the French Revolution. And the Bourbon dynasty was the first among the royal houses to lose their rightful possessions. Later, the Bourbons will be able to restore their power in France for a short time, but the process has already been launched. The second half of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century became the era of the fall of the royal families: the same Bourbons, Habsburgs, Romanovs, Hohenzollerns. Democratic trends began to reach other continents. The Xinhai Revolution ended imperial power in China.
Modern world
Somewhere the royal government still remains today. However, as a rule, it did not retain its positions at all. Countries that have a monarchical form of government see it more as a tribute to tradition, and the royal families act as symbols of the nation. These are England, Denmark, Japan. At the same time, the list of monarchical countries of our time can provide other examples. These are mainly eastern countries where hereditary rulers retained power. So, in Jordan and Kuwait, a dualistic monarchy flourishes. Power is divided between Parliament and the monarch. Moreover, the latter is the strongest figure in the political life of the country. In European Spain, King Juan Carlos has powers comparable to presidential ones in the Russian Federation.
