Succession practice refers to the way rulers or leaders are chosen to succeed those who hold power before them. In the context of empires, it determines how political authority is transferred from one ruler to another.
Related terms
Primogeniture: A succession practice where leadership or inheritance passes directly to the eldest son of a ruling monarch.
Elective Monarchy: A form of succession where individuals eligible for leadership positions are elected by specific groups or assemblies rather than inheriting power through bloodlines.
Dynastic Cycle: The rise and fall of ruling families or dynasties, often involving succession practices that contribute to the cycle of power transitions.