Isabella Carter
A constitutional monarchy is a system of government in which a monarch acts as a symbolic head of state, while a prime minister holds most of the political power. The power of the monarch is limited by a national constitution, and the role is often passed down through heredity. The UK, Belgium, Norway, Japan, and Thailand are all examples of constitutional monarchies. In the case of the UK, the monarch has the ability to appoint a prime minister, proclaim laws, and handle foreign relations, but the real power is held in Parliament. In the case of Japan, it is the only country remaining with an emperor, and in the case of Malaysia, the King is selected from among nine state rulers who are also constitutional monarchs themselves.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of ruler | King or Queen |
| Power | Limited by a constitution |
| Law-making power | Held by the legislature |
| Head of state | Yes |
| Head of government | No |
| Appointed positions | Prime Minister |
| Foreign relations | Yes |
| Succession | Hereditary or elected |
| Selection method | Hereditary, elected by an electoral college, or selected from constitutional monarchs |
| Examples | United Kingdom, Belgium, Norway, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia |
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What You'll Learn
Constitutional monarchy vs. absolute monarchy
A constitutional monarchy is a system of government in which a country recognises a monarch but also limits their power through a national constitution. In most constitutional monarchies, the legislature holds most of the political power, such as the British Parliament or the Japanese Diet. The monarch may serve as the head of state and the symbolic ruler of the nation, while the power to govern lies with a separately elected head of government, such as a prime minister.
The UK is a constitutional monarchy, with the monarch having the power to appoint a prime minister, proclaim laws, and handle foreign relations. However, the real power is held by Parliament, and the monarch's role is largely ceremonial. Similarly, the oldest constitutional monarchy, that of the Hittites, featured a king who had to share his authority with an assembly, similar to a modern-day legislature or deliberative assembly.
Constitutional monarchies can be contrasted with absolute monarchies, in which the king or queen holds all the power as there is no constitutional government. In an absolute monarchy, the monarch rules as a dictator with absolute authority, making and enforcing laws without question. In the modern era, absolute monarchies are often referred to as dictatorships, and few remain. Examples of countries that transitioned from absolute monarchies to constitutional monarchies include France, Finland, and Hawaii.
Some have argued that a benevolent absolute monarchy is the best form of government, but it is difficult to ensure the king is held accountable for misconduct. A constitutional monarchy is often preferred as it ensures a fair and democratic government while still respecting the symbols and traditions of the people. Semi-constitutional monarchies also exist, in which the monarch wields significant power, though not absolute. However, some argue that even in constitutional monarchies, the royal family should serve more than a decorative function and should be more visible to their subjects.
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The role of the monarch
A constitutional monarchy is a system of government where the nation recognises a monarch but also limits their power with a national constitution. The monarch in a constitutional monarchy is not an absolute ruler, and their power is always limited by a set of laws and basic principles.
The monarch also has a representative role, acting as a focus for national identity, unity, and pride, giving a sense of stability and continuity, officially recognising success and excellence, and supporting the ideal of voluntary service. This role is fulfilled through speeches, giving honours, and visiting the armed forces, schools, hospitals, charities, and local organisations.
In some constitutional monarchies, the monarch also has the power to proclaim laws and handle foreign relations. For example, the King of Belgium's formal title is "King of the Belgians" rather than "King of Belgium", indicating that the people hold sovereignty. Similarly, in Papua New Guinea, sovereignty is constitutionally vested in the citizenry.
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The role of the prime minister
In a constitutional monarchy, the role of the prime minister is to govern the country, while the monarch acts as the head of state and the head of the nation. The prime minister holds the real power and is responsible for making and passing legislation, which resides with an elected parliament. The monarch may have some ceremonial duties, such as appointing the prime minister and other ministers, opening new sessions of parliament, and giving royal assent to bills passed by parliament, but their role is largely symbolic and non-political.
The prime minister is the head of the government and is responsible for the day-to-day running of the country. They are typically appointed by the monarch, who is constitutionally obliged to follow the government's advice. The prime minister is usually the leader of the political party that holds the most seats in the lower house of the legislature. In some cases, the prime minister may be selected by a vote of the legislature or appointed by the president, who is the head of state in some constitutional monarchies.
The prime minister is responsible for setting the government's agenda and leading the country in the direction that they believe is best. They are also in charge of overseeing the implementation of policies and ensuring that the laws passed by the legislature are enforced. The prime minister typically has a significant influence on foreign policy and may represent the country in international relations. They may also have the power to appoint other government officials, such as cabinet ministers and ambassadors.
The relationship between the prime minister and the monarch in a constitutional monarchy is unique. While the prime minister holds the real power, the monarch may still have some influence through their constitutional duties and their role as a figurehead. The monarch is expected to remain politically impartial and above the political fray, providing a sense of stability and continuity. The prime minister and the monarch must work together and communicate regularly to ensure the smooth governance of the country.
The prime minister's role may vary depending on the specific constitutional framework of the monarchy. In some cases, the prime minister may have more power, while in others, the monarch may retain some political power and influence. In any case, the prime minister is a key player in a constitutional monarchy, responsible for the day-to-day governance of the country and working within the limits set by the constitution.
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Historical context
The concept of constitutional monarchy has evolved over the centuries, with its roots dating back to ancient times. The oldest constitutional monarchy was that of the Hittites, an ancient Anatolian people during the Bronze Age, whose king ruled alongside an assembly called the Panku, equivalent to a modern-day legislature.
In the medieval period, the concept of the divine right of kings asserted that monarchs derived their authority from God and were not accountable to their people. This belief provided the theological justification for absolute monarchy throughout much of European history. However, the idea of limiting monarchical power also emerged during this time, with England's King John signing the Magna Carta in 1215, considered the first written constitution in European history, imposing constraints on the monarch.
The transition from absolute monarchy to constitutional monarchy gained momentum during the Age of Enlightenment, with the French Revolution of 1789 marking a significant shift. The transformation of the Estates General into the National Assembly ushered in a new constitutional system, and France formally became an executive constitutional monarchy with the French Constitution of 1791. Napoleon Bonaparte, who proclaimed himself Emperor of the French in 1804, is considered the first monarch to embody the nation rather than rule by divine right.
During this period, several countries experimented with constitutional monarchy, including the Anglo-Corsican Kingdom (1794-1796), when Corsica became an independent kingdom under George III of the United Kingdom, with its own elected parliament and constitution guaranteeing local autonomy and democratic rights. Poland also developed the first constitution for a monarchy in continental Europe with the Constitution of 3 May 1791.
In the 19th and 20th centuries, the decline of absolutism and the rise of popular sovereignty and democratic ideals further shaped the evolution of constitutional monarchy. While some monarchs retained substantial powers, as in semi-constitutional monarchies, others became more strongly limited, as in the United Kingdom and Australia, sometimes referred to as "crowned republics".
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Examples of constitutional monarchies
Constitutional monarchies are 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 rest of the government's power to the legislature and judiciary.
- The United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy with a monarch who has the ability to appoint a prime minister, proclaim laws, and handle foreign relations. However, the real power is held by Parliament, and the monarch serves as a symbolic head of state.
- Belgium is an explicit popular monarchy, with the king's formal title being "King of the Belgians" rather than "King of Belgium."
- Japan is the only country with an emperor, and it is one of the most populous constitutional monarchies in the world. The prime minister holds most of the power, while the emperor retains some residual powers.
- Thailand is another populous constitutional monarchy, with the prime minister holding most of the power while the monarch retains limited powers.
- Norway is a constitutional monarchy where the king chairs special meetings of the cabinet and formally appoints a representative to preside over the creation of a coalition government.
- Sweden is a constitutional monarchy that has a monarch as a ceremonial leader.
- Denmark is a constitutional monarchy where the monarch formally appoints a representative to preside over the creation of a coalition government following a parliamentary election.
- Liechtenstein and Monaco are constitutional monarchies where the ruling monarchs wield significant executive power but are not considered absolute monarchs.
- Jordan is a constitutional monarchy that has experienced a gradual transfer of authority from the monarch to various societal groups.
- Cambodia is an elective constitutional monarchy, where the ruler is periodically selected by a small electoral college.
- The United Arab Emirates functions as a federation of seven absolute monarchies, with a president who is de jure elected by the Supreme Council and a prime minister who is the de facto ruler of Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
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Frequently asked questions
A constitutional monarchy is a system of government in which a monarch shares power with a constitutionally organized government. The power of the monarch is controlled by a set of laws and basic principles outlined in a constitution.
In most constitutional monarchies, the ruler is determined through heredity, usually passed down from father to son. However, in elective constitutional monarchies like Malaysia and Cambodia, the ruler is periodically selected by a small electoral college.
The monarch in a constitutional monarchy acts as a symbolic head of state while waiving most political power. They may have powers such as appointing a prime minister, proclaiming laws, and handling foreign relations.
Examples of constitutional monarchies include the United Kingdom, Belgium, Norway, Japan, and Thailand.
