Advanced Placement (AP) World History Practice Exam 2025 - Free AP World History Practice Questions and Study Guide

The assertion that absolutism in governance is characterized by the complete control of a single ruler is accurate. Absolutism is a political doctrine and practice in which a monarch holds absolute power—meaning that their authority is not restricted by any laws, legislatures, or customs. Under this system, the monarch is considered to be above the law, and their decisions are final. This concept was effectively illustrated by rulers like Louis XIV of France, who famously declared, “L'état, c'est moi” (I am the state), emphasizing the idea that the ruler’s power is unquestionable and serves as the embodiment of the state itself.

In contrast to the characteristics of absolutism, options that suggest a shared government, regional independence, or the necessity of regular elections do not align with the principles of absolutism. In an absolutist state, there are typically no mechanisms for sharing power such as a constitution, nor do regional governments operate with significant autonomy. Additionally, the concept of regular elections is fundamentally opposed to the concept of absolutism, which centralizes power in the hands of a single individual without the need for democratic processes. Therefore, the description of absolutism as asserting complete control by a single ruler effectively captures its essence.