Overview
A monarch (君主, kunshu) is a person who rules a nation by authority and runs its politics, administration, and culture. However, monarchs often have only the authority to guarantee the legitimacy of those in power, and do not necessarily have the actual authority to run the country.
In the modern era, the term "monarch" refers to a person who represents (symbolizes) the state externally, and who assumes office (ascends to the throne) by hereditary succession, etc., without going through democratic procedures (election by popular vote).
