What term describes a political theory that centralizes all power in a single ruler?

What term describes a political theory that centralizes all power in a single ruler?

• A. Democracy
• B. Absolutism
• C. Federalism
• D. Constitutionalism

Answer: (B)

Absolutism describes a political theory in which a single ruler holds concentrated, unchecked authority over the state, making and enforcing laws without needing consent from a representative body. This approach often includes control over the military, taxation, the judiciary, and the church, with mechanisms to suppress opposition and limit noble power to maintain swift decision making and national unity. In practice, monarchs like Louis XIV of France embodied absolutism by building a centralized bureaucracy, ruling by edict, and presenting their authority as divinely sanctioned. The other terms describe different power arrangements: democracy centers decision making in the people or their elected representatives; federalism shares power between a central government and regional authorities; constitutionalism limits the government's powers through a constitution. The scenario described—centralizing all authority under one ruler—fits absolutism.

Absolutism describes a political theory in which a single ruler holds concentrated, unchecked authority over the state, making and enforcing laws without needing consent from a representative body. This approach often includes control over the military, taxation, the judiciary, and the church, with mechanisms to suppress opposition and limit noble power to maintain swift decision making and national unity. In practice, monarchs like Louis XIV of France embodied absolutism by building a centralized bureaucracy, ruling by edict, and presenting their authority as divinely sanctioned. The other terms describe different power arrangements: democracy centers decision making in the people or their elected representatives; federalism shares power between a central government and regional authorities; constitutionalism limits the government's powers through a constitution. The scenario described—centralizing all authority under one ruler—fits absolutism.