What type of government is characterized by a monarchy?

A government characterized by a monarchy is primarily defined as a system run by a king or queen with absolute authority. In this type of governance, the monarch often holds significant power, which can be hereditary, meaning the position of leadership is passed down through family lines. Absolute monarchies grant the ruler complete control over the state's functions, laws, and policies, and the authority of the monarch is typically not limited by a constitution or legislative body.

In contrast, other forms of government, such as those governed by elected officials or democracies, involve a degree of representation and participation from the populace rather than centralized power in a monarchy. Monarchical systems may vary to include constitutional monarchies, where the monarch's powers are limited by a constitution or legal framework, but the essence of monarchy involves royal rule, making the answer specifically focused on absolute authority in governance the most accurate descriptor of what characterizes a monarchy.