Variations in the Duration of Reign of Monarchs

Abstract

This article analyzes cross-national variations and longitudinal changes in the duration of the reigns of monarchs. Data cover 439 monarchs from 10 selected nations for the period from 877 to 1972. Using multiple classification analysis, we examine the effects of kinship type of succession, cause of removal of predecessor, age at ascent, duration of life, nation, and year of ascent on the duration of monarchical reigns. The results of our analysis indicate that about 43% of successions to the throne have been by the eldest sons, and the monarchs whose successions have been on the principles of the primogeniture system have tended to have longer durations of reign than those who have gained their monarchical power through other types of succession systems. The five independent variables jointly account for up to 37% of the variance in the duration of the reigns of monarchs. Significant cross-national and European-Asian variations in the characteristics of monarchs are observed. However, no consistent historical trends in causal relationships are apparent from observed interrelationships between variables.

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