this post was submitted on 06 Nov 2023
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Then what is the difference between a monarchy and a dictatorship?
Exactly as your other comment finds, monarchies can be dictatorships if the monarch really takes control. The typical method of control tends to be different though, with monarcies often using traditional power (such as heredity and religion) and dictatorships usually being the result of military force (coups and conquerings).
I think the more useable difference is that a monarchy is a system ruled by a single person, while a dictatorship is a single person ruling. It depends on whether we're talking about an existing system of hierarchy or a person at the top; a leader vs, well, a dictator.
It's not common, but I'd bet a dictatorship that lasts long enough will become a monarchy or institue some form of oligarchy, while a monarchy could become a dictatorship without changing much; maybe reverting with the dictators passing or simply collapsing.
I think an extremely simplified and easy way to put it is. A absolute monarchy is a monarchy until an asshole gets in charge, then its a dictatorship with a monarch as the leader.
Well I was curious and did a little reading. It seems mostly in name. Though Monarchies tend to have a dive right component where Dictatorships seem to more often arise from a coup d'etat.
I live in a monarchy (Sweden) but the King does not control the country, and there's no religious component to his position. I would not consider us a dictatorship.
Also as with most monarchs these days. They are no longer the seat of political power. I don't think most people would consider Sweden to be ruled by a monarch.
Maybe the difference is parliament. A dictatorship will have advisors and may delegate limited control to other entities however they are the 'final word' and the only opinion that cannot be circumvented. Traditional monarchies would have also been dictatorships. Modern monarchies delegate significant power to parliament in manners that can't be circumvented by their own will. So I'd say that the difference between a modern monarchy and a dictatorship is a democratically elected parliament that has power beyond the will of the monarch.