<Tr> <Td> <Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> </Ul> </Td> </Tr> <Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> </Ul> <P> Absolute monarchy, or despotic monarchy, is a form of monarchy in which one ruler has supreme authority and where that authority is not restricted by any written laws, legislature, or customs . These are often, but not always, hereditary monarchies . In contrast, in constitutional monarchies, the head of state's authority derives from and is legally bounded or restricted by a constitution or legislature . </P> <P> Some monarchies have weak or symbolic legislatures and other governmental bodies the monarch can alter or dissolve at will . Countries where monarchs still maintain absolute power are: Brunei, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Swaziland, Vatican City and the individual emirates composing the United Arab Emirates, which itself is a free association of such monarchies--a federal monarchy . </P>

What does it mean to be an absolute monarch