I’m making a fantasy novel. In this one there is a monarchy system, where 4 families rule in turns. After the current monarch dies, the next family in the circle most present an heir from their family to ruse the nation until they die and then the next family takes the throne.
What would you call this government model? Oligarchic monarchy? Poli-Monarchy? Help me with some suggestions. I’m also not sure if this has happened in the history, I can’t find anything about it.
Aristocracy
Could be a Plutocracy
Could be Nepotocracy
Personally, I would avoid using the term oligarchy because it has become something of a trend term used as a negative label in US political culture and synonymous with Russian (self described) backwardness and corruption.
I would write in a nod to how humans usually dilute themselves in their political labels and oversimplified ideology. No one calls themselves what they are directly. Like I default assume every monarch believes in their own fantasy meritocracy.
The concept you described could hold parallels to the papal conclave and election process. I would use this as a loose framework to make the ideas relatable.
It could also be a Magocracy depending on the fantasy.