Monarchy

A monarchy is a government led by a monarch (usually a king or a queen). Monarchies vary according to the degree to which tradition or constitution exert a limitation on the power of the monarch, and whether there are or are not other governmental bodies representing speicific civil groups, such as nobility, clergy, intelligentsia, the military class or common people. The actual title of the monarch may vary, as well, with some monarchies ruled by tsars or Caesars, some by Generalissimos, some by First Citizens or Chairmen or Leaders, and some by Presidents. The primary distinguishing feature of a monarch is occupation of the throne for life or until overthrown by competitive forces (usually from outside the realm). Thus, a "President for life" (as in Syria or North Korea) qualifies as a monarch.

Generally speaking, the position of monarch is hereditary. The position of hereditary President in North Korea, however, makes it clear that even an hereditary monarch can sometimes become a figure head for an oligarchy. One can often distinguish the cases by examining the nature of the personality cult that exalts the monarch. When claims of transcendent character, ability or power are claimed in the public forum that only a little child would be likely to believe, one can assume that there is an oligarchy behind the monarch. By contrast, when only claims are made that the average naive adult would believe it is more likely that the monarch possesses unchallenged power.

Exceptions can occur when the general level of maturity of the masses fails to rise above child level. One useful maturity barometer is the level of success of the institution of marriage in promoting the growth and general improvement of the population. As that maturity level drops, the people as a whole become like children hungry for a father or mother figure to run their lives.

Although it is generally not accepted usage in a post-modern society to refer to a president as a monarch (in order to protect the fiction of democracy), one can find expresssions such as "imperial presidency" in accepted usage.