Absolute monarchs believed in the idea that _____.

Absolute monarchs believed in the idea that God created the monarchy and that the monarch acted as God's representative on earth. This belief is rooted in the concept of the Divine Right of Kings, which asserts that monarchs derive their authority directly from God rather than from any secular authority or the consent of the governed. As such, an absolute monarch was viewed as not only a political leader but also a spiritual one, tasked with governing in accordance with divine will. This ideology provided a theological justification for their total power and often helped them maintain authority over their subjects by framing their rule as sanctioned by a higher power.

In contrast, the other options present different ideas about governance that do not align with the principles of absolute monarchy. The notion of a social contract implies a reciprocal relationship between the ruler and the ruled, suggesting that authority is derived from the people's consent, which contradicts the notion of absolute power. Likewise, limited power by a constitution denotes a system of checks and balances, opposing the idea of absolute control. Lastly, sharing leadership among the nobility indicates a more democratic or aristocratic system, rather than the singular, centralized authority characteristic of absolute monarchs.