Indeed, ancient kings were often totalitarian more in theory than in practice. Monotheistic myths of God's absolute control gave voice to the spirit of monarchy, although polytheistic myths of the gods' squabbles were more upfront about the aristocrats' imperfections.

That's interesting that European conservatives promoted a welfare state on medieval grounds, taking unions to be similar to guilds. Perhaps another difference is that those countries were less progressive or liberal in putting all their confidence in capitalism.