Eleanor Finch
A constitutional monarchy is a system of government in which a monarch, such as a king or queen, shares power with a prime minister and a constitutional government, such as a parliament. The monarch acts as the head of state, while the prime minister leads the executive branch of the government. The distribution of power in a constitutional monarchy varies between countries, but the monarch typically has a ceremonial role, performing representative and civic duties, while the prime minister holds the day-to-day powers of governance. The monarch may retain certain reserve powers, such as appointing the prime minister, proclaiming laws, and handling foreign relations, but they are generally bound by constitutional convention to act on the advice of the government.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of monarchy | Limited monarchy, parliamentary monarchy or democratic monarchy |
| Power of the monarch | Limited by the constitution of the country |
| Head of state | King, emperor, prince or grand duke |
| Role of the monarch | Appoint the Prime Minister, perform representative and civic roles, act as a symbol for the nation |
| Position of the monarch | Servants of the people, at the top of the political and social hierarchy |
| Prime Minister's role | Holds the day-to-day powers of governance, leads the executive branch |
| Prime Minister's power | Holds real power, relies on the monarch's wisdom |
| Prime Minister's duty | Implement laws and policies |
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What You'll Learn
The role of the monarch
In some constitutional monarchies, like the United Kingdom, the monarch has the power to proclaim laws and handle foreign relations. The UK's parliamentary government, known as the Westminster System, is a model for other constitutional monarchies, such as Canada. Here, the Crown, represented by the Governor General, has specific prerogatives, including the power to give royal assent to bills, appoint important officials, and dissolve parliament.
The monarch's role as the head of state is significant as it represents an unbroken hereditary line of succession, providing a sense of continuity and historical knowledge. While the monarch is not directly involved in day-to-day governance, they are a symbol of the nation and are expected to remain politically neutral. The monarch holds weekly audiences with the prime minister to discuss government matters and can offer advice and warnings to their ministers.
In times of extreme emergency or constitutional crises, the monarch or their representatives may have significant "reserve" powers. For example, during the 1975 Australian constitutional crisis, the Governor-General dismissed the Australian Prime Minister, demonstrating the potential influence of the monarch's representative in exceptional circumstances.
It is important to note that the distribution of power in a constitutional monarchy can vary between countries. While the monarch may have some political functions, the real power typically lies with the legislative body, which includes the prime minister and the parliament, who make and implement laws, respectively.
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The role of the prime minister
In a constitutional monarchy, the prime minister holds the powers of governance, while the monarch retains certain powers and is the nominal chief executive. The monarch's role is largely ceremonial and non-political, and they are bound by convention to act on the advice of the government and the cabinet.
The prime minister is officially appointed by the monarch, who also appoints other ministers. The prime minister should have the "ability to command the confidence of the House of Commons, which in turn commands the confidence of the electorate, as expressed through a general election."
The prime minister exercises their powers under the "royal (or Crown) prerogative", on behalf of the monarch, and through powers still formally possessed by the monarch. No person may accept the office of prime minister without swearing an oath of allegiance to the king.
The prime minister has weekly audiences with the king and receives daily boxes of state papers for their signature and information. The monarch's main functions, as they relate to the prime minister, include appointing and dismissing them, opening new sessions of parliament, and giving royal assent to bills passed by parliament, signifying that they have become law.
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Examples of constitutional monarchies
A constitutional monarchy, also known as a limited monarchy, parliamentary monarchy, or democratic monarchy, is a system 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 purely ceremonial leader.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom is often cited as the birthplace of the modern constitutional monarchy. The UK's monarch, currently King Charles III, is the head of state and the emblem of state authority. While the monarch retains significant "reserve" or "prerogative" powers, actual political power is wielded by the democratically elected parliament and the prime minister. The monarch's main functions include appointing the prime minister and other ministers, opening new sessions of parliament, and giving royal assent to bills passed by parliament.
Norway
Norway is another example of a constitutional monarchy, with the King as the head of state. While the King chairs special meetings of the cabinet, the prime minister and the cabinet hold the majority of the governing power.
Belgium
Belgium is also a constitutional monarchy, with a monarch who formally appoints a representative to preside over the creation of a coalition government following a parliamentary election.
Thailand
Thailand is the most populous constitutional monarchy in the world, with the prime minister holding the day-to-day powers of governance while the monarch retains residual powers.
Jordan
Jordan is a constitutional monarchy in which the monarch is a symbolic head of state who performs representative and civic roles but does not exercise executive or policy-making power.
Liechtenstein
Liechtenstein is an example of an executive constitutional monarchy, where the ruling monarch wields significant executive power within the small state. However, they are not an absolute monarch and have limited de facto power compared to some other monarchs.
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The distribution of power
In a constitutional monarchy, the monarch's role is primarily symbolic and ceremonial, representing the nation and its history. They carry out constitutional and representative duties, appoint representatives, open parliamentary sessions, and give royal assent to bills. The monarch is bound by constitutional convention to act on the advice of the government and remains politically neutral. They can advise and warn ministers, including the prime minister, during weekly audiences.
The prime minister, as the head of government, leads the executive branch and is accountable to the legislative body, typically Parliament. They implement laws and policies, and their authority is derived from the people. The prime minister is responsible for appointing cabinet ministers, who are individually and collectively accountable to Parliament for their departments' decisions.
The legislative branch holds the most political power in a constitutional monarchy. It is responsible for making laws, which the head of state is expected to proclaim and follow. The legislative body consists of elected representatives who govern on behalf of the people.
The judicial branch, including the Supreme Court and lower courts, is responsible for interpreting and enforcing the laws of the land. They ensure that the laws are applied fairly and justly and resolve disputes.
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The history of constitutional monarchy
France also underwent a transition to a constitutional monarchy with the French Constitution of 1791, but this was short-lived as the monarchy was overthrown in 1792. Napoleon Bonaparte, who proclaimed himself Emperor of the French in 1804, ruled in what was ostensibly a constitutional monarchy, though some historians view his reign as an absolute monarchy. The Bourbon Restoration, the July Monarchy, and the Second Empire in France were also constitutional monarchies, with varying levels of monarch power.
The present-day concept of a constitutional monarchy, in which power is shared between the monarch and a democratically elected parliament, is often associated with the United Kingdom. In the UK, the monarch is the head of state, but the prime minister and their government exercise power, with the monarch holding a titular position. The monarch has ceremonial and civic roles, such as appointing the prime minister and other ministers, opening new sessions of parliament, and providing royal assent to bills.
Other countries have also adopted constitutional monarchies, including Belgium, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, and Japan. The monarch's powers differ between countries, ranging from ceremonial roles to retaining significant executive power, as seen in the German Empire under Otto von Bismarck. In some cases, such as in Australia, the monarch's representative, the Governor-General, holds "reserve" powers that can be used in times of constitutional crises.
Constitutional monarchies continue to evolve, with some countries transitioning to republics, such as Barbados in 2021, and others, like the United Kingdom, maintaining the monarchy as a symbolic and ceremonial institution.
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Frequently asked questions
A constitutional monarchy is a system of government ruled by a king or queen whose power is limited by a constitution. Political power is shared between the monarch, the head of government, and the constitution.
The monarch is the head of state and serves as a symbol for the nation. They have a duty to carry out constitutional and representational obligations. They can appoint a prime minister, proclaim laws, and handle foreign relations.
The prime minister leads the executive branch of government and holds the day-to-day powers of governance. They are accountable to Parliament and must have the consent and approval of the majority of its members to exercise their authority.
In an absolute monarchy, the king or queen holds all the power to govern the people and there is no constitutional government. In a constitutional monarchy, the monarch's power is limited by a constitution and shared with a head of government and a legislative body.
Some constitutional monarchies include the United Kingdom, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Norway, Denmark, Luxembourg, Monaco, Liechtenstein, Sweden, Japan, and Thailand. Canada is also a constitutional monarchy and a parliamentary democracy with a similar system to the UK, known as the Westminster System.
