Omar Bennett
Constitutional monarchy, also known as limited monarchy, parliamentary monarchy, or democratic monarchy, is a form of government in which a monarch acts as a non-party political ceremonial head of state under a constitution, whether codified or uncodified. The concept of constitutional monarchy emerged in the 18th century, replacing most absolute monarchies in the 20th century. The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, formed in 1569, operated similarly to modern European constitutional monarchies, with a king who was elected and had the duty of maintaining the people's rights. The French also transitioned from absolute monarchy to constitutional monarchy in 1791, with the first French Constitution declaring sovereignty. The United Kingdom, Thailand, Japan, and several other countries are examples of contemporary constitutional monarchies, where the monarch's powers are limited by a constitution, and political power is largely held by a legislature.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | A system of government in which a monarch shares power with a constitutionally organized government. |
| Other names | Limited monarchy, parliamentary monarchy, democratic monarchy |
| Examples | United Kingdom, Thailand, Japan, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Morocco, Jordan, Kuwait, Bahrain, Bhutan, Belgium, Cambodia, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Denmark, Lesotho, Malaysia, Netherlands |
| History | The concept of limited monarchical power began in 1215 when England's King John signed the Magna Carta, considered the first written constitution in European history. The French turned their absolute monarchy into a constitutional monarchy in 1791, and most absolute monarchies were replaced in the 20th century. |
| Powers of the monarch | The monarch may be the de facto head of state or a ceremonial leader. The monarch may hold formal powers such as dissolving parliament or giving royal assent to legislation, but these are generally exercised in accordance with constitutional principles rather than personal preference. |
| Sovereignty | Some constitutional monarchies claim sovereignty, while others do not. |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The French Revolution and the 1791 Constitution
The French Revolution, which began in 1789, marked a significant shift in the country's political landscape, culminating in the creation of the 1791 Constitution. This constitution was a pivotal document that not only served as France's first written constitution but also redefined the role of the monarchy, paving the way for a constitutional monarchy.
The French Constitution of 1791 emerged from the ashes of the absolute monarchy of the Ancien Régime. The National Assembly, formed in the wake of the Tennis Court Oath, embarked on the momentous task of drafting this constitution as its primary objective. The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, adopted on August 26, 1789, laid the foundation for this constitution, emphasizing sweeping ideals of rights, liberty, and sovereignty.
The constitution-drafting process was fraught with controversies, particularly regarding the extent of the king's powers and the form of the legislature. The Constitutional Committee proposed a bicameral legislature, but this idea was rejected in favour of a unicameral system. The king's powers were also a subject of debate, with the committee proposing different levels of veto power, including suspensive and absolute vetoes. The final constitution granted the king a suspensive veto, which could be overridden by three consecutive legislatures.
The 1791 Constitution amended Louis XVI's title from 'King of France' to 'King of the French', signifying that his power derived from the people and the law, rather than divine right or national sovereignty. While the king retained certain executive powers, such as the right to form a cabinet and appoint ministers, the sovereignty now effectively resided in the Legislative Assembly, which was elected by indirect voting. The franchise was restricted to "active" citizens who paid a minimum amount in taxes, resulting in about two-thirds of adult men having the right to vote for electors and select local officials directly.
The constitution also addressed issues of citizenship, distinguishing between "active" and "passive" citizens." "Active citizens", who were over 25 and paid direct taxes equivalent to three days' labour, held political rights, while "passive citizens" were granted only civil rights. This compromise proved unsatisfactory to radical deputies like Maximilien Robespierre, who sought equal rights for all subjects of the French Crown as promised in the Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen.
Despite its groundbreaking nature, the 1791 Constitution faced significant challenges. King Louis XVI reluctantly accepted it in September 1791, but his subsequent attempt to flee Paris in June 1791 dealt a severe blow to the constitutional monarchy, sparking a surge in Republican sentiment. The constitution lasted less than a year, and the king's actions revealed a lack of faith in the new political system.
Constitutional Monarchy: Decision-Making Process Explained
You may want to see also
The 1871 German Empire Constitution
Constitutional monarchy, also known as 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 ceremonial leader. The constitution allocates the government's powers to the legislature and judiciary.
The constitution established permanent committees, with at least four states represented on each committee, excluding the chairman. Each state was allowed one vote. The committee for the army and fortifications was chaired by Bavaria, which also had a permanent seat. All members of this committee were appointed by the Emperor, while members of the other committees were elected by the Bundesrat. Additionally, a Committee on Foreign Affairs was created, with individual members representing Bavaria, Saxony, and Württemberg, and two other members representing the other states.
The constitution provided for a parliament, the Reichstag, or Imperial Diet, which was elected by universal suffrage for all male citizens above the age of 25. A secret ballot was guaranteed. The Reichstag had to approve the national budget, and no law could be enacted without its consent. However, the Imperial Chancellor, appointed by the Kaiser, was not dependent on the confidence of a parliamentary majority.
The German Empire Constitution thus marked a combination of modernism and traditionalism, with a struggle between democracy and monarchy. While the Reichstag gained power and influence, the Kaiser and the Imperial Government remained influential, and the political parties were too divided to establish a more parliamentary system. With Germany's defeat in World War I and the November Revolution, the monarchy was abolished, and the constitution became obsolete, though it was only formally changed in 1919.
Monarchy and Constitution: A Royal's Rule Book?
You may want to see also
The Magna Carta
The concept of constitutional monarchy, also known as limited monarchy, parliamentary monarchy, or democratic monarchy, is a form of governance where the monarch's authority is exercised in accordance with a constitution, and decisions are not made by the monarch alone. In such a system, the monarch acts as a ceremonial head of state and performs representative and civic roles without holding any executive or policy-making power.
One of the key historical documents that laid the foundation for constitutional monarchy in England is the Magna Carta, which means "Great Charter of Freedoms" in Medieval Latin. Drafted by Cardinal Stephen Langton, the Archbishop of Canterbury, it was agreed upon by King John of England on June 15, 1215, at Runnymede, near Windsor. The charter aimed to make peace between the king and a group of rebel barons who demanded that the king confirm the Charter of Liberties.
Neither King John nor the rebel barons upheld their commitments, and the charter was annulled by Pope Innocent III, leading to the First Barons' War. After King John's death, the regency government of his young son, Henry III, reissued the document in 1216, with some of its more radical content removed. The Magna Carta was reissued multiple times, including in 1217, 1225, and 1297 by Edward I, who confirmed it as part of England's statute law. Over time, the charter became an integral part of English political life, influencing the development of Parliament and legal principles such as habeas corpus.
Exploring North Korea's Potential Constitutional Monarchy Transition
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth
The concept of a constitutional monarchy can be traced back to ancient times, but one of the earliest and most unique examples of a functioning constitutional monarchy was the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, which existed from the late 16th to the late 18th century. The Commonwealth was created through the union of the Kingdom of Poland and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania in 1569, and it encompassed a large territory in Central and Eastern Europe. What set the Commonwealth apart was its political system, which was characterized by a unique blend of monarchy, aristocracy, and democracy, thus laying the foundations for a form of constitutional monarchy.
At the heart of the Commonwealth's political system was the monarch, known as the King, who was elected by the nobility from a pool of Polish and foreign candidates belonging to European royal dynasties. This elective monarchy was a key feature, as it limited the power of the monarch and ensured that the nobility played a central role in the governance of the country. The King was not an absolute ruler and had to share power with a representative body called the Sejm, which was the Commonwealth's parliament.
The Sejm was a powerful institution, composed of two chambers: the Senate, consisting of high-ranking officials and aristocrats; and the Chamber of Deputies, made up of representatives from local parliaments. It had the authority to legislate, control finances, and even elect the King. The Sejm's decisions were binding, and it could veto the King's decisions, making it a true check on royal power. This balance of power between the monarch and the nobility-led parliament was a key characteristic of the Commonwealth's constitutional monarchy.
In addition to the Sejm, the Commonwealth also had a unique form of democratic participation known as the "Golden Freedoms." This referred to a set of privileges enjoyed by the nobility, who made up around 10% of the population. These freedoms included the right to elect the King, participate in the Sejm, and own land. The Golden Freedoms created a sense of political equality among the nobility, regardless of their wealth or status, and gave them a direct stake in the governance of the country. This blend of aristocratic rule and democratic participation was another key feature of the Commonwealth's constitutional monarchy.
Constitutional Monarchy: Democratic or Undemocratic?
You may want to see also
The UK constitutional monarchy's roots
The UK's constitutional monarchy has roots that predate the formation of the UK as a state. The Crown of Ireland Act 1542 granted English monarchs the title of King of Ireland. From 1603, the English and Scottish kingdoms were ruled by a single sovereign in the Union of the Crowns.
The monarchy was abolished from 1649 to 1660 following the civil wars and execution of Charles I. The monarchy was restored in 1660, and in 1688, William III and Mary II were installed as co-monarchs in the Glorious Revolution, establishing a constitutional monarchy with power shifting to Parliament. The Bill of Rights of 1689 further curtailed the power of the monarchy and excluded Roman Catholics from succession to the throne.
In the centuries that followed, active political leadership transferred increasingly to ministers accountable to Parliament and away from the monarch as the head of state. The Reform Act of 1832, which reformed parliamentary representation, was passed during the reign of William IV and led to an expansion of the electoral franchise and the rise of the House of Commons as the most important branch of Parliament.
The final transition to a constitutional monarchy was made during the long reign of Queen Victoria, the successor of William IV. The contemporary constitutional monarch, King Charles III, possesses the ultimate legal responsibility for a variety of functions but exercises limited powers within a framework established by Parliament.
Democracy vs Monarchy: Systems of Governance Compared
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
A constitutional 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 ceremonial leader.
In an absolute monarchy, there is no constitutional government, and the king or queen holds all the power to govern their people. In a constitutional monarchy, the legislature holds the most political power.
Constitutional monarchies appeared during the 18th century and replaced most absolute monarchies in the 20th century. The first constitution in English history was the Magna Carta, signed in 1215.
Examples of constitutional monarchies include the United Kingdom, Thailand, Japan, Belgium, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and Jordan.
A constitutional monarch must carry out constitutional and representational obligations, such as appointing ministers or other holders of important posts, and representing their country on the international stage. They are also a visible symbol of national unity.
