What type of monarchy is characterized by a king with total power?

An absolute monarchy is defined by the concentration of power in a single monarch who wields total authority over the state and is not bound by a constitution or laws. In this system, the king possesses unfettered control over government decisions, legislation, and often the judiciary. The monarch's will and decrees are considered the law of the land, and subjects may have little to no legal recourse against the king's decisions. Historically, absolute monarchs have ruled with divine right, believing their authority is sanctioned by religious or hereditary principles, further emphasizing their control.

In contrast, a constitutional monarchy entails a system where a monarch's powers are limited by a constitution or legislative body, meaning that their authority is regulated and governed in partnership with other political entities. A federal monarchy typically involves a division of powers between a central authority and regional governments, and an elective monarchy is one in which the monarch is not hereditary but is elected. These distinctions highlight the unique nature of absolute monarchy within the broader context of monarchic systems.