Final answer:
A monarchy is a form of government with a monarch at the head who holds supreme authority, which can be absolute or ceremonial in a constitutional monarchy.
Step-by-step explanation:
A monarchy is a type of government where a single individual, known as a monarch, holds supreme authority, often in a hereditary or divinely ordained capacity. The monarch's rule is typically for life and may abdicate under certain circumstances. Over time, there have been transitions from absolute monarchies, where the monarch has unrestricted power, to constitutional monarchies, where the monarch's roles are ceremonial or act within the constraints of a constitution.
Renowned cases of historical monarchies include those of Spain and France, as well as modern examples like the constitutional monarchy of the United Kingdom or the absolute monarchies of Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Monarchies have been intimately linked with concepts like the divine right of kings and have evolved to adapt to the growing demand for democratic structures and legislatures in many countries today.