The term ‘monarchy’ refers to a form of government where a single person, the monarch, holds all the power and authority. However, whether a monarchy is considered authoritarian depends on the specific type of monarchy in question.
In general, there are two main types of monarchies: absolute and constitutional. In an absolute monarchy, the monarch has unrestricted power and can govern without any legal limitations or a governing body to answer to. This style of governance leans more toward authoritarianism, as the monarch’s decisions can be made without any form of democratic process or input from the populace.
On the other hand, a constitutional monarchy operates under a system of laws that restrict the powers of the monarch. In this system, the monarch’s role is primarily ceremonial, with real political power being held by elected officials. Countries like the United Kingdom and Sweden exemplify this type of monarchy, where the monarch serves as a symbolic figurehead, and democratic procedures dictate the governance of the country.
In summary, while absolute monarchies can often be categorized as authoritarian due to their concentration of power, constitutional monarchies are more democratic and do not fit the authoritarian label. Therefore, whether a monarchy is authoritarian or not cannot be answered definitively without considering the specific characteristics and structure of the monarchy in question.