Absolute monarchy or absolutism as doctrine is a form of monarchy in which the monarch holds supreme authority, principally not being restricted by written laws, legislature, or customs. These are often 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.

In Europe, Absolute monarch justified themselves through divine right. Example of European Absolute monarchs are: Louis XIV and Peter the Great.