The political philosophy of the Egyptian government throughout its three major dynastic periods can be best described as an absolute monarchy.
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Old Kingdom (c. 2686–2181 BCE): The pharaoh was considered a divine ruler, possessing absolute power over the land and its people, and was viewed as an intermediary between the gods and the people. The concept of Ma'at, representing truth, balance, and order, was central to governance.
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Middle Kingdom (c. 2055–1650 BCE): The pharaoh maintained their absolute rule but also focused on issues like social welfare and infrastructure. The belief in the pharaoh as a god continued, along with the idea that they were responsible for the well-being of the state.
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New Kingdom (c. 1550–1077 BCE): The power of the pharaoh reached its apex, and rulers like Ramses II exemplified this absolute authority. The state often engaged in military conquests and extensive building projects that reinforced the central authority of the pharaoh.
Throughout these periods, the political structure was characterized by centralized authority and divine kingship, aligning with the notion of absolute monarchy.