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History vocabulary · Empires, States and Rulers

Elective monarchy

Meaning in history, with examples

nounCommon term

In history, elective monarchy means: A monarchy in which a ruler is chosen by an authorized electorate rather than succeeding automatically by descent.

In Turkish: seçimli monarşi

How it is used

The electors may form a small privileged group; elective does not imply universal voting.

Example sentences

  1. In this elective monarchy, nobles negotiated before choosing the next ruler.

    Selection is institutional even when participation is restricted.

  2. The textbook contrasts an elective monarchy with automatic hereditary succession.

    The distinction concerns how the throne changes hands.

Common collocations

  • an elective monarchy
  • elective monarchy system
  • successionThe process by which a new ruler takes the place of the previous one, and the rules or customs that decide who has the right to the throne.
  • monarchyA system of government in which a king, queen, emperor or other hereditary ruler is head of state, or a country governed in this way.

More terms: Empires, States and Rulers

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