Which form of government is led by a hereditary ruler whose powers can be absolute?

• A. Monarchy
• B. Constitutional monarchy
• C. Absolute monarchy
• D. Martial law

Answer: (C)

A ruler who inherits the throne and has broad or unlimited authority over the state is an absolute monarchy. The essential idea is that the monarch’s power is centralized and not constrained by a constitution or legal limits, and the hereditary aspect means power passes within a royal family rather than by election or appointment.

In contrast, a constitutional monarchy features a monarch whose powers are limited by a constitution, with real political power typically resting in elected representatives. Martial law isn’t a form of government at all; it’s a temporary military rule imposed during emergencies, not a system defined by hereditary rule or constitutional limits.