Where did absolute monarchy start?
In the form of oriental despotism, absolute monarchy began at the dawn of history in the great river-vallies of Egypt, Mesopotamia and China. The European type began around 1500 in France and Spain. Basically it was after the nobles had been put down, and before the people came up. Having lived under absolute monarchies in Saudi Arabia and Brunei, let me tell you, it sucks. I know it’s corny, I know it’s been said before, but democracy beats it every time. Despotism breeds a race of yes-men who will never take the initiative.
