Eleanor Finch
A constitutional monarchy is a form of government where a monarch acts as the symbolic head of state but does not exercise executive or policymaking power. The monarch may be an emperor, king, queen, prince, or duke, and they primarily perform a representative and civic role. In a constitutional monarchy, representatives are elected by the public through national elections, and these representatives hold the power to select other government officials, such as the prime minister. The oldest constitutional monarchy was that of the Hittites, an ancient Anatolian people where the king shared authority with an assembly called the Panku, which was similar to a modern-day legislature. Today, many countries, including the United Kingdom, Spain, Japan, and Thailand, are constitutional monarchies, with the prime minister holding the day-to-day powers of governance while the monarch retains residual powers that vary between countries.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Representatives are elected by the public | National elections for the national legislature |
| Elected representatives may hold the power to select other representatives | Prime Minister |
| The power of representatives is usually curtailed by a constitution or other measures to balance representative power | An independent judiciary, which may have the power to declare legislative acts unconstitutional |
| The constitution may also provide for some deliberative democracy | Royal Commissions |
| The constitution may also provide for direct popular measures | Initiative, referendum, recall elections |
| The titular head of state – monarch or president – serves the traditional role of embodying and representing the nation | |
| The monarch retains residual (but not always insignificant) powers | |
| The monarch is the nominal chief executive | |
| The monarch is bound by convention to act on the advice of the Cabinet | |
| The monarch may exercise power under certain very limited circumstances | Royal prerogative |
| The monarch may do no wrong under the law because the responsible government is instead deemed accountable | Sovereign immunity |
| The monarch has immunity from some taxation or restrictions on property use |
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What You'll Learn
The role of the monarch
The powers of the monarch can vary between different constitutional monarchies. In some countries, like the United Kingdom, Australia, and Norway, the monarchy is strongly limited, with the monarch having very few powers. In other countries, like Denmark and Belgium, the monarch has more significant, though still residual, powers and may appoint a representative to preside over the formation of a coalition government after a parliamentary election. In nearly all cases, the monarch is the nominal chief executive but is bound by convention to act on the advice of the cabinet.
In some cases, constitutional monarchies have transitioned into republics, as seen in countries like Malta, Barbados, and Brazil, where the monarchy was abolished and a republic was established.
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How representatives are elected
In a constitutional monarchy, representatives are elected by the public through national elections for the national legislature. The elected representatives may further hold the power to select other government representatives, such as presidents or prime ministers. The power of these representatives is usually limited by a constitution or other measures like an independent judiciary. Constitutional monarchies may also provide for some deliberative democracy, such as Royal Commissions, or direct popular measures like referendums and recall elections.
The tradition of representative estates, or the selection of representatives from various classes to advise or control monarchs, has a long history in European medieval politics. This tradition was first exploited by the Renaissance monarchy of Henry VIII and his children, the Tudors. Later, in the 17th century, the Parliament of England implemented ideas and systems of liberal democracy, culminating in the Glorious Revolution and the passage of the Bill of Rights in 1689. The widening of the voting franchise took place through a series of Reform Acts in the 19th and 20th centuries.
The American Revolution and the French Revolution also played a significant role in shaping representative democracy. The creation of the United States Constitution in 1787 established a national legislature based on direct elections of representatives every two years. Similarly, Revolutionary France adopted the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen in 1789, and in 1792, the National Convention was elected by all males. The Industrial Revolution and population growth further contributed to the rise of representative democracy, as more citizens became interested and involved in politics.
Today, slightly more than a quarter of constitutional monarchies are Western European countries, including the United Kingdom, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Norway, Denmark, Luxembourg, Monaco, Liechtenstein, and Sweden. The two most populous constitutional monarchies in the world are Japan and Thailand. In these countries, the prime minister holds the day-to-day powers of governance, while the monarch retains residual powers that differ between countries. For example, in Denmark and Belgium, the monarch formally appoints a representative to preside over the formation of a coalition government after a parliamentary election.
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The power of representatives
The representatives are elected by the public through national elections for the national legislature. These elected representatives may have the power to select other representatives, such as prime ministers, presidents, or other government officials. The prime minister, in a constitutional monarchy, usually holds the day-to-day powers of governance, while the monarch retains residual powers that vary in significance depending on the country. For example, in Norway, the King chairs special meetings of the cabinet, while in Denmark and Belgium, the monarch appoints a representative to preside over the formation of a coalition government after parliamentary elections.
It is important to note that the power of representatives is typically balanced by other institutions, such as an independent judiciary, which can declare legislative acts unconstitutional. Additionally, representatives may have the duty to exercise their own judgment in decision-making, even if their views diverge from those of their constituents. This concept, proposed by political theorists like Edmund Burke, suggests that representatives act as trustees, using their best judgment and knowledge for the benefit of those they represent.
Overall, the power of representatives in a constitutional monarchy is a complex interplay between the elected officials, the monarch, and other governing institutions, with the aim of ensuring effective and legitimate governance.
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The influence of the public
The public's influence on the election of representatives in a constitutional monarchy is a key aspect of democratic governance. In a constitutional monarchy, the monarch is typically the hereditary symbolic head of state, while the actual governance is carried out by a cabinet composed predominantly of elected representatives. The public plays a crucial role in electing these representatives, who then form the government and exercise power on behalf of the people.
The rise of representative democracy can be traced back to the medieval tradition of selecting representatives from different estates or classes to advise and control monarchs. This concept of representation, inspired by Roman systems, laid the foundation for the public's influence in constitutional monarchies. Over time, the tradition of representative estates evolved, and ordinary citizens began to be included in the decision-making process. For example, in 1265, Simon de Montfort held a parliament in Britain that included ordinary citizens, marking a significant step towards representative government.
The spread of education and prosperity contributed significantly to the public's influence in constitutional monarchies. As more citizens gained access to education, they felt empowered to participate in politics, either as voters or leaders. This trend was particularly prominent after the Industrial Revolution, when large numbers of citizens became interested in politics, and representative democracy gained popularity. The Reform Acts in the 19th and 20th centuries played a crucial role in widening the voting franchise and solidifying the role of the public in electing representatives.
In a constitutional monarchy, the public's influence is typically exercised through national elections for the national legislature. These elected representatives may then hold the power to select other government officials, such as prime ministers or presidents. However, it is important to note that the power of representatives is usually curtailed by a constitution or other measures, such as an independent judiciary, to balance representative power and protect the rights of citizens.
While the public's influence is primarily exerted through elections, there are also other avenues for public participation in constitutional monarchies. For example, the constitution may provide for deliberative democracy, such as Royal Commissions, or direct popular measures, such as initiatives, referendums, or recall elections. These mechanisms allow citizens to have a more direct impact on decision-making and hold their elected representatives accountable.
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The historical context
The idea of a constitutional monarchy can be traced back to ancient times, with the oldest known example being that of the Hittites, an ancient Anatolian people who lived during the Bronze Age. The king of the Hittites shared his authority with an assembly called the Panku, which was the equivalent of a modern-day deliberative assembly or legislature. The members of the Panku came from scattered noble families who worked as representatives of their subjects.
In medieval Europe, there was a tradition of selecting representatives from the various estates (classes) to advise and control monarchs. This tradition, inspired by Roman systems, led to a relatively wide familiarity with representative systems. Simon de Montfort is remembered as one of the fathers of representative government for holding two famous parliaments in Britain. The first, in 1258, stripped the king of unlimited authority, and the second, in 1265, included ordinary citizens from the towns.
The Renaissance monarchy of Henry VIII and his children, the Tudors, further exploited the tradition of representative estates. However, their successors, the Stuarts, unsuccessfully challenged this tradition. The English Civil Wars (1642-1651) culminated in the execution of King Charles I, and in the aftermath, opponents of King James II called in a new king and queen, William III and Mary II.
The Glorious Revolution and the passage of the Bill of Rights in 1689 further solidified the ideas and systems of liberal democracy in England. The Parliament of England implemented these ideas and systems, which included the widening of the voting franchise through a series of Reform Acts in the 19th and 20th centuries.
The American Revolution and the French Revolution also played a significant role in shaping the concept of constitutional monarchy. The creation of the United States Constitution in 1787 established a national legislature based partly on direct elections of representatives every two years. In France, the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen was adopted in 1789, and universal male suffrage was established after the French Revolution of 1848.
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Frequently asked questions
A constitutional monarchy is a form of government where a monarch acts as the symbolic head of state but does not exercise executive or policymaking power. The monarch may be an emperor, king, queen, prince, or duke, and they primarily perform a representative and civic role.
In a constitutional monarchy, representatives are typically elected by the public through national elections for the national legislature. These representatives may then hold the power to select other government officials, such as the prime minister.
The main characteristics of a constitutional monarchy include the separation of powers between the monarch and the elected government, with the monarch holding a ceremonial role, and the government carrying out the administrative functions. The monarch's powers are usually limited and defined by a constitution or other measures.
Some examples of constitutional monarchies include the United Kingdom, Spain, the Netherlands, Belgium, Norway, Denmark, Japan, and Thailand.
A constitutional monarchy and a republic primarily differ in the role and powers of the head of state. In a monarchy, the head of state is typically a monarch, while in a republic, it is usually a president. However, in both systems, the head of state embodies and represents the nation, while the government is composed predominantly of elected representatives.
