Editing Elective monarchy (section)

{{Short description|Monarchy ruled by an elected ruler}}
{{Monarchism |expanded=types}}

An '''elective monarchy''' is a [[monarchy]] ruled by a monarch who is [[election|elected]], in contrast to a [[hereditary monarchy]] in which the office is automatically passed down as a family inheritance. The manner of election, the nature of candidate qualifications, and the electors vary from case to case. Historically, it was common for elective [[Monarchy|monarchies]] to transform into hereditary ones (whether legally or ''de facto'') by repeated election of the previous rulers' children, or for hereditary monarchies to acquire elective or semi-elective succession laws, particularly following dynastic crises.