What aspect of governance is least associated with absolute monarchies?

The least associated aspect of governance with absolute monarchies is constitutional limitations. Absolute monarchies are characterized by a concentration of power in the hands of a single ruler, who typically has authority over all branches of government without checks and balances. In these systems, the monarch exercises supreme power, meaning that there are no effective constitutional constraints preventing that ruler from making decisions unilaterally.

While centralized authority, supreme power of the monarch, and often the elimination of noble oversight reflect the nature of absolute monarchies, constitutional limitations inherently suggest a framework that restricts the powers of the ruler. Such limitations may involve a division of powers or legal constraints that prevent absolute decisions, which contradicts the principle of absolute monarchy, where the monarch's word is law and often goes unchallenged. Thus, the presence of constitutional limitations denotes governance models that allow for more shared or limited power, which contrasts sharply with the nature of absolute monarchies.