Jonah Patel
Absolute monarchy and constitutional monarchy are two different systems of governance. An absolute monarchy and constitutional monarchy are two different systems of governance. An absolute monarchy is a form of governance in which the sovereign is the single source of political power and is not bound by constitutions, legislatures, or other checks on their authority. Absolute monarchies include countries like Saudi Arabia, Oman, and the Vatican City. On the other hand, a constitutional monarchy, also known as a limited, parliamentary, or democratic monarchy, is a system in which the monarch's authority is restricted by a constitution and other officials, such as a prime minister. Examples of constitutional monarchies include the United Kingdom, Canada, and Sweden.
| Characteristics | Absolute Monarchy | Constitutional Monarchy |
|---|---|---|
| Power | The monarch holds all power and is the sole source of political power. | The monarch's power is limited and they are not the sole source of political power. |
| Legal Constraints | The monarch is not bound by constitutions, legislatures, or other checks on their authority. | The monarch is bound by the constitution and other legal frameworks. |
| Decision-Making | The monarch is the sole decision-maker. | The monarch does not make decisions alone and is supported by a parliament or governing body. |
| Authority | The monarch has absolute authority as the head of state. | The monarch is the head of state but their authority is largely symbolic and ceremonial. |
| Political Power | The monarch holds and exercises political power. | The monarch may hold political power but does not exercise it. |
| Type of Power | The monarch's power is inherited and passed down through the ruling family. | The monarch's power may be inherited or they may be elected. |
| Rule | The monarch rules for life. | The monarch's rule is subject to democratic procedures. |
| Divine Right | The monarch may claim to rule by "divine right" and be above the law. | The monarch does not claim to rule by "divine right" and is not above the law. |
| Economic Control | The monarch has control over the economy and state finances. | The monarch does not have control over the economy and state finances. |
| Bureaucracy | The monarch creates bureaucracies and controls interest groups. | The monarch does not create bureaucracies or control interest groups. |
| Historical Context | Absolute monarchies were common in the 16th and 17th centuries in Europe and are now rare. | Constitutional monarchies emerged as an alternative to absolute monarchies in the 16th and 17th centuries in Europe and are now more common. |
| Examples | Brunei, Saudi Arabia, Vatican City, Oman, Qatar, Prussia, France, Russia. | United Kingdom, Belgium, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Jordan, Morocco, Kuwait, Bahrain, Bhutan. |
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What You'll Learn
Decision-making
In a constitutional monarchy, the monarch's authority is restricted by a constitution and other institutions, such as a legislature or unwritten customs. The monarch is legally bound by the constitution and shares decision-making power with a parliament or governing body. The monarch may be a symbolic head of state, performing primarily representative and civic roles, while actual political power is held by elected politicians. Examples of constitutional monarchies include the United Kingdom, Belgium, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark.
In an absolute monarchy, the monarch is the sole source of political power and is not bound by any constitution, legislature, or other checks on their authority. The absolute monarch makes all decisions related to the economy and other state affairs and has complete control over the government and its people. They often claim to rule by "divine right," deriving their authority from God, and are considered above the law. Absolute monarchies include Saudi Arabia, Brunei, and the former Russian Empire.
Power sources
Absolute monarchies are a form of monarchy in which the sovereign is the sole source of political power and is unconstrained by constitutions, legislatures, or other checks on their authority. The monarch holds supreme or absolute powers and is often considered to be above the law, ruling by "divine right" or the grace of God. They have complete control over the government, the economy, and their people.
Absolute monarchs may gain their power through different means, such as hereditary succession or marriage. For example, in ancient Mesopotamia, rulers of Assyria, Babylonia, and Sumer were absolute monarchs. The Sultan of the Ottoman Empire also wielded absolute power and was considered a "Great King" by his people.
During the 17th and 18th centuries, absolute monarchs ruled most of Europe, including France under Louis XIV, and Prussia from 1701 to 1848. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, absolute monarchies were also prevalent in the Arab provinces, notably in Egypt and Syria, as well as in states that gained independence from the Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian Empires. Today, absolute monarchies include Saudi Arabia, Oman, and the individual emirates composing the United Arab Emirates.
Constitutional monarchies, also known as limited, parliamentary, or democratic monarchies, differ from absolute monarchies in that the monarch's power is restricted or balanced by other officials, such as a prime minister, and they rule within the limits prescribed by an established legal framework or constitution. The monarch is either a hereditary or elected figure who serves as a symbolic head of state, performing mainly representative and civic roles.
Constitutional monarchies can be further categorized into two types: executive and ceremonial. In executive monarchies (or semi-constitutional monarchies), the monarch wields significant power, but it is not absolute. An example of this is Liechtenstein, where the ruling monarch has significant executive power but is not an absolute monarch. In ceremonial monarchies, the monarch holds little to no actual power or direct political influence but may still have substantial social and cultural influence.
Examples of constitutional monarchies include the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Sweden, and Jordan. These monarchies are characterized by a gradual transfer of authority from the monarch to various societal groups, with political power being assumed by elected politicians and democratic procedures.
Political influence
Absolute monarchy is a form of monarchy in which the sovereign is the sole source of political power, unconstrained by constitutions, legislatures, or other checks on their authority. The absolutist system of government saw its high point in Europe during the 16th and 17th centuries, with figures such as Louis XIV of France, the "Sun King", and Peter I ("the Great") of Russia. In absolute monarchies, the monarch is the only decision-maker and is not bound by any legal framework.
Constitutional monarchy, on the other hand, is a form of monarchy in which the monarch exercises their authority in accordance with a constitution and is not alone in making decisions. Constitutional monarchies differ from absolute monarchies in that the monarch's powers and authorities are limited and prescribed by an established legal framework. The monarch in a constitutional monarchy is typically a hereditary symbolic head of state who mainly performs representative and civic roles, while political authority is exercised by elected politicians and the political process follows democratic procedures. Examples of constitutional monarchies include the United Kingdom, Belgium, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark.
In some constitutional monarchies, the monarch wields significant (though not absolute) power and the monarchy is a powerful political and social institution. These are known as executive or semi-constitutional monarchies. On the other hand, in ceremonial monarchies, the monarch holds little or no actual power or direct political influence, though they often have a great deal of social and cultural influence.
The role of the monarch in a constitutional monarchy can vary depending on the specific country and its historical and cultural context. For example, in the United Kingdom, there is debate around when it is appropriate for a monarch to act, as the neutrality of the crown is important. In Thailand, the monarch is protected by lèse-majesté, which carries strict criminal penalties for violators, and enables the monarch to play a role in politics.
The transition from absolute monarchy to constitutional monarchy has occurred in several countries, such as France, which transitioned to a constitutional monarchy in 1789, and Hawaii, which transitioned from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy in 1840.
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Royal family roles
A constitutional monarchy, also known as a limited, parliamentary, or democratic monarchy, is a form of monarchy in which the royal family's authority is restricted by a constitution and other officials, such as a prime minister. The royal family in a constitutional monarchy serves as the symbolic and ceremonial head of state, performing primarily representative and civic roles. They have little to no executive or policy-making power and are expected to remain politically neutral. Examples of constitutional monarchies include the United Kingdom, Belgium, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark.
In contrast, an absolute monarchy is a form of monarchy in which the sovereign royal family holds all political power and is unconstrained by constitutions, legislatures, or other checks on their authority. Absolute monarchies are often supported by the notion that the royal family's power is divine or that they are above human laws. Historically, absolute monarchies were more common during the 16th and 17th centuries in Europe, with notable examples including Louis XIV of France and Charles I of England. Today, examples of absolute monarchies include Brunei, Eswatini, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the individual emirates of the United Arab Emirates.
The roles of a royal family in a constitutional monarchy differ significantly from those in an absolute monarchy due to the constraints on their authority. In a constitutional monarchy, the royal family's primary role is to represent and embody the state and its authority. They serve as symbols of unity and continuity, performing ceremonial duties such as opening parliament, attending state functions, and bestowing honours. The royal family may also have a role in promoting national pride, supporting charitable causes, and fostering cultural and social influence. While they may have theoretical powers, such as the ability to veto legislation, the royal family in a constitutional monarchy typically refrains from exercising them to maintain their neutrality.
In an absolute monarchy, the royal family wields absolute power and is the sole decision-maker. They can make and enforce laws, appoint and dismiss government officials, and control the military. The royal family in an absolute monarchy may also hold religious significance, with their power seen as divine or ordained by God. They can influence the social, political, and economic aspects of their realm without the need for a constitution or democratic procedures. The royal family in an absolute monarchy may also pass their power to their descendants, ensuring the continuation of their rule.
While the specific responsibilities may vary depending on the country and its constitution, the royal family in a constitutional monarchy generally upholds the values of democracy and acts in the best interests of the people. They provide stability and continuity by respecting the will of the people and allowing elected officials to govern. In contrast, the royal family in an absolute monarchy holds supreme authority and exercises power without the same level of accountability to the people or a governing document like a constitution.
Historical context
Absolute monarchy, a system of monarchy in which the sovereign is the single source of political power, reached its peak in Europe during the 16th and 17th centuries. During this time, monarchs such as Louis XIV of France and Charles I of England attempted to establish absolutist governments, viewing themselves as unconstrained by constitutions, legislatures, or other checks on their authority. This notion of the ""divine right of kings"" was the theological justification for absolute monarchy, with monarchs claiming supreme autocratic power by divine right.
The absolutist system of government began to decline following the French Revolution and World War I, which led to the emergence of popular sovereignty and democratic ideals. However, it provided an ideological foundation for political theories and movements that opposed liberal democracy.
The historical context of absolute monarchy is marked by the centralization of power in the hands of the monarch, often resulting in the establishment of large royal courts and bureaucracies to control the nobility, economy, and spread of ideas. Notable examples of absolute monarchies include the Ottoman Empire, Imperial China, and the Russian Empire.
On the other hand, constitutional monarchy is a form of monarchy in which the authority of the monarch is restricted by a constitution, legislature, or other officials, such as a prime minister. The United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Spain, and Denmark are examples of European countries with constitutional monarchies, while Thailand, Japan, and Andorra are examples of constitutional monarchies outside of Europe.
The historical context of constitutional monarchy involves the evolution of democratic principles and the limitation of monarchical power. While monarchs in a constitutional monarchy may still perform important functions, such as appointing ministers and representing the country internationally, their powers are delegated or exercised based on the advice of other officials, such as the prime minister.
Frequently asked questions
Absolute monarchy is a form of monarchy in which the sovereign is the sole source of political power, unconstrained by constitutions, legislatures or other checks on their authority. Absolute monarchs are usually considered to have inherited their power and often claim to rule by "divine right".
Also known as a limited, parliamentary or democratic monarchy, constitutional monarchy is a form of monarchy in which the monarch exercises their authority in accordance with a constitution and is not alone in making decisions. Constitutional monarchies can be further divided into executive and ceremonial types.
Absolute monarchies include Brunei, Eswatini, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the Vatican City. Constitutional monarchies include the United Kingdom, Belgium, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark.
