Final answer:
A monarchy is a governmental system led by a monarch, which can be either absolute or constitutional. An absolute monarchy, like Saudi Arabia, gives the monarch complete control, while a constitutional monarchy, such as the United Kingdom, limits the monarch's power with a constitution.
Step-by-step explanation:
A monarchy is a form of government where a single person, known as a monarch, holds supreme authority, typically for life or until abdication. This rule is often established through hereditary succession. There are two primary forms of monarchy: absolute monarchy and constitutional monarchy.
In an absolute monarchy, the monarch has complete control over the government and is not legally bound by any constitution or lawmaking body. The monarch holds ultimate authority over policy and governance. One current example of an absolute monarchy is Saudi Arabia, where the king has full control over state affairs.
A constitutional monarchy, on the other hand, recognizes a monarch that operates within the constraints of a constitution. Many of these systems have evolved from absolute monarchies into constitutional ones, where the monarch has a more ceremonial role, and actual governance is usually managed by elected officials. An example of a current constitutional monarchy is the United Kingdom, where the monarch's powers are limited by parliamentary laws and democratically elected leaders.