Simone Lawson
A constitutional monarchy is a form of government in which a monarch shares power with a constitutionally organized government. While the monarch may be the de facto head of state, they are often a ceremonial leader with limited or no political power. The constitution allocates the government's power to the executive, legislative, and judiciary branches. The extent of the monarch's authority varies between countries, but they typically serve as a symbol for the nation. In some constitutional monarchies, such as the United Kingdom and Australia, the monarch has a more limited role and is referred to as a crowned republic. Other examples of constitutional monarchies include Belgium, Cambodia, Jordan, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and Thailand. While most modern monarchies are hereditary, with the office of sovereign being passed down through a single family, there have been elective monarchies throughout history, such as the Roman Kingdom, the Byzantine Empire, and the Regency of Algiers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | A constitutional monarchy is a system of government in which a monarch shares power with a constitutionally organized government. |
| Historical Examples | The Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, the Roman Kingdom, the Empire of Haiti, the Regency of Algiers, the Mali Empire, the Mexican Empire, Nepal, Nigeria, Ottoman Empire, Pakistan, Portugal, Spain, Thailand, Yugoslavia |
| Modern Examples | Malaysia, Cambodia, Belgium, Jordan, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, Thailand |
| Powers of the Monarch | The monarch may be the de facto head of state or a purely ceremonial leader. The constitution allocates the rest of the government's power to the legislature and judiciary. The monarch's powers may include appointing ministers or other holders of important posts, and representing the country on the international stage. |
| Election of the Monarch | Most modern monarchies are hereditary, but some constitutional monarchies are elective, with the ruler selected by a small electoral college. |
| Prime Minister's Role | The prime minister is the head of government and is the most powerful executive leader in the nation. They are elected either directly or indirectly. |
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What You'll Learn
- Constitutional monarchies can be elective, with a ruler selected by an electoral college
- The monarch is usually the head of state, but the prime minister holds more power
- In constitutional monarchies, the monarch's role is largely ceremonial and symbolic
- Constitutional monarchies can be distinguished by the royal prerogative and sovereign immunity
- Constitutional monarchies can be sub-national, like the co-principality of Andorra
Constitutional monarchies can be elective, with a ruler selected by an electoral college
Constitutional monarchies are a form of government in which a monarch exercises their authority in accordance with a constitution and shares power with a constitutionally organized government. The monarch may be the de facto head of state or a ceremonial leader. While most modern constitutional monarchies are hereditary, with power passed down from one family member to another, some constitutional monarchies are elective, with their ruler selected by an electoral college.
One example of an elective constitutional monarchy is Malaysia, a federal country with nine state rulers who are also constitutional monarchs themselves. The Yang di-Pertuan Agong, or the Supreme Head of State of Malaysia, is selected from among these nine state rulers by a small electoral college of hereditary rulers from the Malay States, known as the Conference of Rulers. The position is rotated amongst the state rulers, and the Yang di-Pertuan Agong is elected for a five-year term and cannot be re-elected unless the rotation succession is complete.
Cambodia is another example of an elective constitutional monarchy, where the ruler is periodically selected by a small electoral college. Similarly, the Kingdom of Kongo was a historical example of a pure elective monarchy, where nobles elected a king's successor, often from a different family.
The Holy Roman Empire, including its predecessor Eastern Francia, is another well-known example of an elective monarchy. From 1440 to 1740, a Habsburg was always elected emperor, with the throne becoming unofficially hereditary. The emperor was chosen by a small council of nobles called prince-electors, who themselves were often elected as spiritual electors by cathedral chapters.
Some other historical examples of elective monarchies include the Roman Kingdom, where kings were elected by the Roman assemblies; the Empire of Haiti, as outlined in its 1805 constitution; and the Mali Empire in Africa, where the mansa or emperor was elected by a Great Assembly known as the Gbara, despite hereditary claims.
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The monarch is usually the head of state, but the prime minister holds more power
Constitutional monarchies are systems of government in which a monarch shares power with a constitutionally organized government. The monarch may be the de facto head of state or a ceremonial leader. The constitution allocates the rest of the government's power to the legislature and judiciary.
The British Monarchy is an example of a constitutional monarchy, where the sovereign is the head of state, but the ability to make and pass legislation resides with an elected Parliament. The monarch has a duty to appoint the Prime Minister, open new sessions of Parliament, and give royal assent to bills passed by Parliament, signifying that they have become law. The monarch also chairs monthly meetings of the Privy Council, approves Orders in Council, and receives incoming and outgoing ambassadors.
While the monarch has authority over the government, this power may only be used according to laws enacted in Parliament and within constraints of convention and precedent. In practice, the monarch's role is limited to functions such as bestowing honours and appointing the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister, and not the sovereign, has control over the executive power, which is exercised by His Majesty's Government, comprising ministers, primarily the Prime Minister and the Cabinet.
In some constitutional monarchies, such as Malaysia and Cambodia, the ruler is periodically selected by a small electoral college, and the monarch retains substantial powers. In other cases, such as the United Kingdom and Australia, the monarchy is strongly limited, and the monarch acts within the constraints of convention and precedent, exercising prerogative powers only on the advice of ministers responsible to Parliament, often through the Prime Minister or Privy Council.
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In constitutional monarchies, the monarch's role is largely ceremonial and symbolic
In a constitutional monarchy, the monarch's role is largely ceremonial and symbolic. They are the titular head of state and are responsible for embodying and representing the nation. While the monarch may be the de facto head of state, their power is limited, and they are bound by constitutional conventions to act on the advice of the government. The constitution allocates the government's powers to the legislature and judiciary, ensuring a separation of powers.
The role of the monarch in a constitutional monarchy can vary depending on the country. For example, in the United Kingdom, the monarch has limited powers and is bound by constitutional conventions to act on the advice of the government. In Thailand, the monarch is recognized as the Head of State, Head of the Armed Forces, Upholder of the Buddhist Religion, and Defender of the Faith. They retain some powers, such as the right to be consulted, the right to encourage, and the right to warn.
In some constitutional monarchies, such as Malaysia and Cambodia, the ruler is periodically selected by a small electoral college, making them elective monarchies. This is different from hereditary monarchies, where the monarch comes from one royal family and passes power to another family member upon death or abdication. However, even in elective monarchies, the role of the monarch is largely ceremonial, and they do not hold absolute power.
The first constitution for a monarchy in continental Europe was created in Poland in 1791. It was considered a republic under the presidency of the King, and the King was elected with the duty of maintaining the people's rights. This set a precedent for the modern constitutional monarchy, where the monarch's role is primarily symbolic, and the government is carried out by a cabinet of elected officials.
While the monarch's role in a constitutional monarchy is largely ceremonial, there are still some key powers and responsibilities associated with the position. These include representing the nation, providing stability and continuity, and in some cases, having a right to be consulted, encourage, and warn on important matters. The monarch is also often the focus of national unity and pride, embodying the country's traditions and values.
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Constitutional monarchies can be distinguished by the royal prerogative and sovereign immunity
A constitutional monarchy is a system of government in which a monarch shares power with a constitutionally organized government. The constitution allocates the government's power to the legislature and judiciary. Examples of constitutional monarchies include the United Kingdom, Australia, Belgium, Cambodia, Jordan, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and Thailand.
The monarch exercises the prerogative powers on the advice of the government of the day, either directly or through the Privy Council. The monarch's prerogative powers include the power to appoint and dismiss ministers, including the Prime Minister, to summon and prorogue parliament, and to give royal assent to bills passed by parliament. Royal assent to bills is automatically granted once a bill has been passed by both houses of parliament.
Sovereign immunity refers to the immunity of the monarch from prosecution or lawsuits. This is based on the classical concept of sovereignty, which holds that a sovereign cannot be subjected to the jurisdiction of another without their approval. In constitutional monarchies, the sovereign is the historical origin of the authority that creates the courts, and therefore the courts have no power to compel the sovereign to be bound by them. This is commonly expressed by the legal maxim "rex non potest peccare", meaning "the king can do no wrong".
In some cases, sovereign immunity may be waived or limited. For example, in the case of Lieutenant Governor of Quebec Lise Thibault, the Supreme Court of Canada refused to grant her request to have charges of misappropriation of public funds dropped based on royal immunity. The court held that royal immunity only applied to actions involving official state functions, not personal ones. Similarly, in the United States, the Eleventh Amendment grants states sovereign immunity from being sued in federal court without their consent, but this immunity can be waived in certain circumstances.
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Constitutional monarchies can be sub-national, like the co-principality of Andorra
A constitutional monarchy is a system of government where a monarch shares power with a constitutionally organized government. The monarch may be the de facto head of state or a ceremonial leader. The constitution allocates the rest of the government's power to the legislature and judiciary.
The unique diarchical arrangement of Andorra was founded in 1278 by a treaty between the Bishop of Urgell and the Count of Foix. After Henry III of Navarre was crowned Henry IV of France, he issued an edict in 1607 establishing the King of France and the Bishop of Urgell as co-princes of Andorra. Andorra's system of government has persisted through the Middle Ages to the present.
In 1993, a Constitution was approved by a vote of the Andorran people and signed into law by the two reigning co-princes at the time: Bishop Joan Martí Alanis and President François Mitterrand. The Constitution establishes Andorra as a "parliamentary co-principality" and carefully defines the precise role and prerogatives of the two co-princes. It also provides for the protection of human rights and equality before the law.
Andorra is not the only example of a sub-national constitutional monarchy. The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, which existed from 1569 to 1795, operated much like many modern European constitutional monarchies. The King was considered the president of the republic and was elected with the duty of maintaining the people's rights.
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Frequently asked questions
Constitutional monarchies are a form of government in which a monarch shares power with a constitutionally organized government. The monarch may be the de facto head of state or a ceremonial leader. The constitution allocates the rest of the government's power to the executive, legislative, and judiciary branches. The real power in constitutional monarchies lies with the legislative body, which is generally elected.
Examples of constitutional monarchies include the United Kingdom, Australia, Belgium, Cambodia, Japan, Jordan, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and Thailand.
In most constitutional monarchies, the monarch is chosen through hereditary succession, where the office of sovereign is passed from one family member to another upon the death or abdication of the previous monarch. However, there are also elective monarchies, where the monarch is chosen through elections.
The role of the monarch in a constitutional monarchy varies depending on the country. In some cases, the monarch may have limited political power and serve as a symbol for the nation. In other cases, the monarch may have more power and be involved in appointing ministers, representing the country internationally, and approving laws and treaties.
