Final answer:
Under the reign of Louis XIV, the French government was an absolute monarchy, where the monarch held total control without checks such as a parliament and often claimed the right to rule by divine right.
Step-by-step explanation:
Under the reign of Louis XIV, the government was a monarchy. Specifically, it was an absolute monarchy, a form of government in which the king or queen has total control and authority over the government and its people. This form of rule is characterized by a leader who claims their right to rule by hereditary succession and, often, divine right. Louis XIV, known as the 'Sun King', centralized the government around his persona and had absolute power, with no checks like a parliament to limit his authority. The concept of divine right meant that it was believed the monarch's power to rule came directly from God.
Other forms of government mentioned include republicanism, where the government has no hereditary ruling class and relies on popular sovereignty with representatives chosen by the people. An oligarchy is a form of government in which power is held by a small elite group. It's important to note that some constitutional monarchies today started as absolute monarchies or oligarchies before transitioning towards a model with more checks on the monarch's power and incorporating democratic elements.