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 arise 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 - all these are countries with a monarchical form of government. The same applies to the vast majority of medieval states. Except, perhaps, for some noble republics: Florence, Venice or Novgorod in Russia in a certain period. However, 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. And vice versa, significant cases of the rise of yesterday's slaves are also known due to personal ties 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 superior (including the king). At the same time, without a noble birth, it was hardly possible to break out to the upper steps of the hierarchy. However, over time, the position of European kings somewhat strengthened.
New time
The Renaissance and the replacement of feudal society by capitalist relations dealt heavy blows to the absolute rights and claims of kings to power. Countries with a monarchical form of government in Europe have staggered. The educational ideas of Locke, Rousseau, Hobbes, and other thinkers significantly undermined the previously prevailing idea of the inevitability of submission to the monarch. The first practical result of the democratization of European minds was the Great French Revolution. And the Bourbon dynasty was the first among the royal houses to lose its legal 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 XIX and the beginning of the XX 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 put an end to imperial power in China.
Modern world
In some places, the royal administration still remains today. However, as a rule, it did not retain its position at all. Countries with a monarchical form of government see it more as a tribute to tradition, and royal families are symbols of the nation. These are England, Denmark, Japan. At the same time, the list of monarchical countries of our time can present other examples. These are mainly eastern countries, where hereditary rulers retained power. So, in Jordan and Kuwait, the dualistic monarchy flourishes . Power here 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 the presidential in Russia.