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.
Look at historical examples like the Serene Republic of Venice.
Basically you have an oligopoly that controls the levers of power and elects one of their own to be the leader.
Also read up on selectorate theory. There’s a good book called The Dictator’s Handbook that goes into detail, and for a shorter way to consume this info you can watch the YouTube video Rules for Rulers which is based on the same book.
All governments are nested resources distribution streams. Resources flow up to the decision maker, which then distributes resources back down the chain to buy loyalty to maintain power. Regimes change when one side or the other experiences a major disruption.