I have noticed in every fantasy book I have ever read that the good leader is always a king. This makes sense for kings who represent God, but what about non-God-representing kings? Why isn't there a "President of Gondor" or a "Prime Minister of _______"?

This is why I prefer all different types of government for my fantasy kingdoms/democracries/etc.

But I want to know: Why is it always kings?

Most likely because many fantasies strive for a medieval feel, and kings were the most common rulers in fairy tales and during the Middle Ages (though if you actually look into medieval politics any, you'll find that in many cases the king was seldom the one in charge).

I have many different governments in my world. There is the Confederacy of Tabros, which is a confederacy of eleven regions, each govern themselves according to their own preference but every year eleven leaders meet to make decisions about the nation.

I also have a nation where there is a king but the true power rests in the Council.

Plus, I have a nation called The Electory of Culvinis. The Electory is a body of four-hundred-some men, each of which govern a county-size piece of land in the nation.

I also have a dictatorship, and a nation that's a loose union of Indian-like tribes that only convene in times of war. And only one monarchy.

I don't have any true democracies (though many of these leaders are elected/determined in whole or part by the people) since that's not generally found in medieval time. But really, since its fantasy, you can break the conventions and do whatever you want. Give Gondor a president, or whatever you want to do. One of the marks of good fantasy is showing how your world has developed differently than earth. Maybe the inclination of some of your races is to be fair, and have a democracy.

eruheran

Mine just doesnt have kings... I have the Order, the Assembly and a few other types of leadership in my world

I would recommend that anytime you use a system of government in a fantasy, you should take some time to research it and it's history in our world.

For instance, you want to avoid the common mistake of confusing Democracies and Republics.

It's also good to actually study some theories of government, such as social contract theory, Marxism, Machiavellian dictators, stuff like that.

Yes definitely, do your research.

I, of course, enjoy splurging on political development (being the government geek and world development geek that I am). So I have a few monarchies, but they don't have a monopoly, so to speak.

I have kingdoms, but also confederacies back in the day with the dragons. They just have influential demagogues who lead, never kings or dynasties.
One nation I still know only a little about is a democracy, but that one is fairly undeveloped.
There are also the small wizard-dominions, where one wizard establishes a mini-state.
Then there are the large wizard dominions, run by an alliance of dark wizards.

But you certainly have a point. Everywhere seems to be either kingdom, shattered kingdom, or utopia (such as the elves and the Shire). Admittedly, the Elves of Middle-earth have "kings" and what-not, but they don't have much for an administration. The Elves always want the same thing as regards war and they don't have much for crime.

It probably has to do with how democracy as we know was invented by the Greeks and Romans, and if they weren't in the fantasy world, there would be no idea of democracy.

Technically, it wasn't (the category of the good kind of 'democracy' was exemplified in OT Israel), and even if it was, it would still have been invented if they weren't there. Just like fire, swords, shields, bows, wheels, the stirrup, etc.

Some people believe that even if Napoleon had been killed as a baby, another emperor would have risen and done the same things basically. Things gravitate to certain ends on the overall scheme of the world. People make individual decisions, but overall, their choices act like statistics.

It's not just that kingdoms have a medieval feel... But for thousands of years a monarchy was the prominent form of government. If you look at English history all the way back to the barbarians (who had chiefs not kings), there were times they tried to switch from a monarchy to a group of governing officials... There was usually one guy who wanted all the power and managed to get it (I also think it's interesting how often there is a usurping uncle in real history). Don't be afraid of having a lot of kings, they do have a good classical feel and (based on the personality of the culture) it could be what suits the people best. There are also Chiefs, Counsels of Elders, Mayors, and Emperors.

By the way, Hobbits have government... Sam was elected Mayor... At least twice.

Good point, Riniel, they do have a government in technicality. My point was that the Shire functions mostly off the fact that there aren't very many criminally minded hobbits. Hence, they don't need a government in the normal sense.

Monarchy in "medieval" fantasy usually are the best and most realistic.
"Allthings" and "counsels" usually come off as corny as I've seen.
Its is a good idea to research your government type well before laying it out.

Councils can be done; and they can be a very effective form of government. Congress is sort of like a council, except watered down. A council is a group of representatives of different tribes or something like that. So it can work; and be an effective form of government. I have two governments that are similar to councils in my world.

eruheran

Why kings?
Because kings and kingdoms, princes and paupers make for a great "story telling playground". There are all kinds of scenarios one can come up with with royalty! *hee hee* kidnappings, feuds, romance, forbidden friendships, uprisings, etc, etc, etc!!!!!
-my two cents worth.

Of course, since our politicians have had their share of kidnappings, feuds, romances, forbidden friendships, and "uprisings", I suppose any government will do, eh?

*bursts out laughing* The short way of saying all that is "intrigue." Every government (at least, every government worth writing about) has it.

So far, I have only used monarchies, but I am considering using a sort of council for one of my countries.

I have one government that crosses between monarch and capitalism. I also am trying to develop a cross between democracy and ancient Japanese government.

Anyhoo, another reason it's always kings is because Tolkien had them. Many people associate Tolkien as the founder of modern fantasy, which is probably true. King Arthur probably has something to do with it, too...

Since then, it's been overused. If done well, though, it can become quite entertaining.

A lot of fantasy works are set in kinda a anarchy, where it's every man for himself.

@Apollo -I like your avatar... that's the cover illustration of my copy of "Perelandra", by C.S. Lewis.