Editing Absolute monarchy (section)

==Contemporary trends==
Many nations formerly with absolute monarchies, such as [[Jordan]], [[Kuwait]], [[Morocco]] and [[Qatar]], have ''[[de jure]]'' moved towards a [[constitutional monarchy]]. However, in these cases, the monarch still retains tremendous powers, even to the extent that by some measures, parliament's influence on political life is viewed as negligible or merely consultative.{{efn|"By 1985 the legislature appeared to have become more firmly established and recognized as a body in which notables representing authentic forces in the political spectrum could address national issues and problems. But it had not gained real autonomy or a direct role in the shaping of government policies." [...] "In spite of its formally defined role in the lawmaking and budgetary processes, the parliament had not established itself as an independent branch of government, owing to the restrictions on its constitutional authority and the dominating influence of the king. The fact that the king has been able to govern for long periods by ''zahir'' after dissolving the legislative body has further underscored the marginality of the chamber." — J.R. Tartter (1986)<ref>{{cite book |last=Tartter |first=Jean R. |date=1986 |chapter=Government and politics |editor1-last=Nelson |editor1-first=Harold D. |title=Morocco, a country study |publisher=Foreign Area Studies: The American University |pages=246–247 |url=https://www.loc.gov/collections/country-studies/ |series=Area Handbook |oclc=12749718 |via= |access-date=2022-03-25 |archive-date=2023-12-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231212024428/https://www.loc.gov/collections/country-studies/ |url-status=live }}</ref>}}<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Tusalem |first1=Rollin F. |date=16 September 2021 |title=Bringing the legislature back in: Examining the structural effects of national legislatures on effective democratic governance |journal=Government and Opposition |volume=58 |issue=2 |pages=291–315 |doi=10.1017/gov.2021.32 |s2cid=240505261 |url=https://doi.org/10.1017/gov.2021.32 |language=en |issn=0017-257X|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Rafayah |first1=Shakir |date=29 January 2022 |title=What role for political parties in Jordan? |magazine=Arab Weekly |lang=en |url=https://thearabweekly.com/what-role-political-parties-jordan |access-date=25 March 2022 |archive-date=1 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230601205815/https://thearabweekly.com/what-role-political-parties-jordan |url-status=live }}</ref>

In [[Bhutan]], the government moved from absolute monarchy to constitutional monarchy following planned parliamentary elections to the [[Tshogdu]] in 2003, and the [[2008 Bhutanese National Assembly election|election of a National Assembly in 2008]].

In [[Nepal]], there were several swings between constitutional rule and direct rule related to the [[Nepalese Civil War]], the [[Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre)|Maoist insurgency]], and the 2001 [[Nepalese royal massacre]], with the [[Kingdom of Nepal|Nepalese monarchy]] being abolished on 28&nbsp;May 2008.<ref>{{cite news |last=Sharma |first=Gopal |date=2008-05-29 |title=Nepal abolishes centuries-old Hindu monarchy |lang=en |work=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-nepal-king-idUSISL5996320080529 |access-date=2020-12-01 |archive-date=2023-06-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230604181350/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-nepal-king-idUSISL5996320080529 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In [[Tonga]], the [[King of Tonga|king]] had majority control of the [[Legislative Assembly of Tonga|Legislative Assembly]] until 2010.<ref>[http://parliament.gov.to/constitution1.htm Constitution of Tonga] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081119232721/http://parliament.gov.to/constitution1.htm|date=2008-11-19}}, s. 61</ref>

=== Liechtenstein ===
[[Liechtenstein]] has moved towards expanding the power of the monarch—the [[Prince of Liechtenstein]] was given vast expanded powers after a [[2003 Liechtenstein constitutional referendum|referendum]] to amend the [[Constitution of Liechtenstein]] in 2003, which led [[BBC News]] to describe the prince as an "absolute monarch again".<ref name="Liechtenstein">{{cite news |title=Liechtenstein prince wins powers |date=2003-03-16 |website=[[BBC News]] |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/2853991.stm |access-date=2015-10-26 |archive-date=2015-12-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151215091943/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/2853991.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> The referendum granted the monarch the powers to dismiss the government, nominate judges and [[veto]] legislation, among others.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Osborn |first1=Andrew |title=European prince wins new powers |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/mar/17/andrewosborn |website=The Guardian |access-date=20 March 2024 |date=17 March 2003 |archive-date=20 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240320073725/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2003/mar/17/andrewosborn |url-status=live }}</ref> Just prior to the referendum, the [[Venice Commission]] of the [[Council of Europe]] published a comprehensive report analysing the amendments, opining that they were not compatible with the European standards of democracy, effectively making Liechtenstein a ''[[de facto]]'' absolute monarchy.<ref>{{cite web |author1=Henrik Zahle |author2=Pieter Van Dijk |author3=Jean-Claude Scholsem |title=On the amendments to the constitution of Liechtenstein proposed by the Princely House of Liechtenstein |url=http://www.venice.coe.int/webforms/documents/default.aspx?pdffile=CDL-AD(2002)032-e |website=venice.coe.int |publisher=[[Venice Commission]] |access-date=6 May 2024 |location=Strasbourg |date=16 December 2002 |archive-date=28 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200228150407/http://www.venice.coe.int/webforms/documents/default.aspx?pdffile=CDL-AD(2002)032-e |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Prince Hans-Adam II]] had also previously threatened to leave the country and move his assets out of Liechtenstein if voters had chosen to restrict his powers.<ref name="Liechtenstein"/>

=== Vatican City ===
{{Main|Vatican City}}
Vatican City continues to be an absolute monarchy, but is unique because it is also a [[microstate]], [[ecclesiastical jurisdiction]], and [[elective monarchy]]. As of 2023, Vatican City has a population of 764 residents (regardless of citizenship). It is the smallest state in the world [[List of countries and dependencies by area|both by area]] and [[List of countries and dependencies by population|by population]]. The [[Pope]] is the absolute monarch of Vatican City, and is elected by a [[papal conclave]] with a two-thirds supermajority.<ref name="BXVI-MP">Benedict XVI (11 June 2007). [https://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/motu_proprio/documents/hf_ben-xvi_motu-proprio_20070611_de-electione_lt.html De aliquibus mutationibus in normis de electione Romani Pontificis] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222062902/http://w2.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/la/motu_proprio/documents/hf_ben-xvi_motu-proprio_20070611_de-electione.html |date=22 December 2017 }} (in Latin). ''[[Motu proprio]]''. Vatican City: Vatican Publishing House.</ref><ref name="BBC-BXVI">[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6242466.stm "Pope alters voting for successor"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070914235308/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6242466.stm |date=14 September 2007 }}. ''[[BBC News]]''. 26 June 2007.</ref>

As governed by the Holy See, Vatican City State is an [[Sacerdotal state|sacerdotal]]-[[Monarchy|monarchical]] state ruled by the Pope, who is the [[bishop of Rome]] and head of the [[Catholic Church]].<ref name="factbook">{{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/holy-see-vatican-city/ |title=Holy See (Vatican City) |work=CIA—The World Factbook |date=22 September 2021 |access-date=25 January 2021 |archive-date=26 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220126204237/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/holy-see-vatican-city/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Unlike [[citizenship]] of other states, which is based either on ''[[jus sanguinis]]'' or ''[[jus soli]]'', citizenship of Vatican City is granted on ''jus officii'', namely on the grounds of appointment to work in a certain capacity in the service of the Holy See. It usually ceases upon cessation of the appointment. Citizenship is also extended to the spouse and children of a citizen, provided they are living together in the city.<ref name=citizenship>{{cite web |url=https://www.vaticanstate.va/phocadownload/leggi-decreti/Leggesullacittadinanzalaresidenzaelaccesso.pdf |title=Law on citizenship, residence and access |publisher=Vatican City State |date=22 February 2011 |access-date=31 July 2022 |language=it |archive-date=17 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220717184754/https://www.vaticanstate.va/phocadownload/leggi-decreti/Leggesullacittadinanzalaresidenzaelaccesso.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>