Malcolm Rivera
Constitutional monarchy, also known as limited monarchy, parliamentary monarchy, or democratic monarchy, is a form of monarchy in which the monarch's authority is regulated by a constitution. The monarch is not the sole decision-maker and must exercise their powers within the limits prescribed by an established legal framework. The concept of constitutional monarchy gained prominence in the 18th and 19th centuries, with Poland adopting the first constitution for a monarchy in continental Europe in 1791, and Denmark transitioning to a constitutional monarchy in 1849 with the writing of its first democratic constitution. Today, constitutional monarchies can be categorized into executive and ceremonial types, with varying degrees of power held by the monarch. While some monarchs wield significant executive power, they are still bound by the constitution and elected parliament, ensuring that their countries are generally regarded as liberal democracies.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of monarchy | Constitutional monarchy, also known as limited monarchy, parliamentary monarchy or democratic monarchy |
| Powers of the monarch | Bound by constitutional convention to act on the advice of the government |
| Monarch's role | Head of state, commander-in-chief of the armed forces, holder of executive power, joint holder of legislative power |
| Monarch's functions | Non-partisan functions such as granting honours, appointing the prime minister, hosting foreign heads of state, paying state visits abroad |
| Country examples | Denmark, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Morocco, Jordan, Kuwait, Bahrain, Bhutan, United Kingdom |
| Historical development | Poland was the first constitutional monarchy in continental Europe (1791), followed by the early years of the French Revolution |
| Modern types | Executive (or semi-constitutional) and ceremonial |
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What You'll Learn
Constitutional monarchy vs absolute monarchy
Constitutional monarchy, also known as limited monarchy, parliamentary monarchy, or democratic monarchy, is a form of monarchy in which the monarch exercises their authority in accordance with a constitution and is not the sole decision-maker. It is bound by a legal framework that limits its powers and authorities. Constitutional monarchies can be further divided into executive (or semi-constitutional) and ceremonial monarchies. In executive monarchies, the monarch wields significant power and the monarchy is a powerful political and social institution. Countries like Liechtenstein and Monaco are examples of executive monarchies. On the other hand, in ceremonial monarchies, the monarch holds little to no political power but may still have considerable social and cultural influence.
In contrast, an absolute monarchy is a form of government in which the monarch is the sole decision-maker and holds supreme power, ruling as a dictator. Absolute monarchies are devoid of checks and balances, and the public has no means to hold the monarch accountable for any misconduct. Historically, Hawaii transitioned from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy in 1840 when King Kamehameha III established the kingdom's first constitution. Similarly, France underwent a transition from the absolute monarchy of the Ancien Régime to a constitutional monarchy with the French Constitution of 1791, although this was short-lived as the monarchy was overthrown in 1792.
The debate between constitutional monarchy and absolute monarchy revolves around the distribution of power. Proponents of absolute monarchy argue that it is the ideal form of government, with a benevolent absolute monarch motivated to keep their people happy. However, they acknowledge the risk of degeneration into an aristocratic oligarchy. On the other hand, supporters of constitutional monarchy favour a system with checks and balances, where the monarch's power is limited by a constitution and an elected parliament. This ensures accountability and prevents the concentration of power in a single individual.
While some argue for a strong constitutional monarchy that actively appoints ministers based on merit, others prefer a semi-constitutional monarchy that strikes a balance between power vested in the monarch and that held by a parliament. This middle ground provides some freedom of action for the monarch while maintaining checks and balances through an elected body. The preference for either constitutional or absolute monarchy depends on the country's historical context, cultural norms, and the depth to which parliamentary systems have taken root.
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The first constitutional monarchy
The concept of constitutional monarchy, also known as limited, parliamentary, or democratic monarchy, has evolved over centuries, with the first instances of this form of governance emerging during the Enlightenment era. The idea of a constitutional monarchy is that the monarch's authority is exercised within the constraints of a constitution, and they are not the sole decision-maker. Here is an overview of some of the first constitutional monarchies:
Poland's Constitutional Monarchy
Poland developed the first constitution for a monarchy in continental Europe with the Constitution of May 3, 1791. This document established a constitutional monarchy in Poland, marking the second single-document constitution in the world, following the United States' republican Constitution. Poland's constitutional monarchy served as a model for other European nations transitioning from absolute monarchy to a more democratic form of governance.
French Revolution and the First French Constitutional Monarchy
The French Revolution, which began in 1789, significantly influenced the evolution of constitutional monarchy in France and beyond. The transformation of the Estates General of 1789 into the National Assembly marked a shift from the absolute monarchy of the Ancien Régime toward a constitutional system. The French Constitution of 1791, which took effect on October 1 that year, formally established France as an executive constitutional monarchy.
This first French constitutional monarchy was short-lived, ending with the Insurrection of August 10, 1792, and the subsequent proclamation of the French First Republic. However, the idea of constitutional monarchy persisted, and 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.
Other Early Examples of Constitutional Monarchy
In addition to Poland and France, several other nations experimented with constitutional monarchy during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. For example, Hawaii transitioned from absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy in 1840 when King Kamehameha III promulgated the kingdom's first constitution. This constitutional form of government continued until 1893 when the monarchy was overthrown in a coup.
Fascist Italy under Benito Mussolini could also be considered a form of constitutional monarchy, as there was a king as the titular head of state while actual power was held by Mussolini under a constitution. However, this arrangement ultimately discredited the Italian monarchy, leading to its abolition in 1946.
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Modern constitutional monarchies
Constitutional monarchy, also known as limited monarchy, parliamentary monarchy, or democratic monarchy, is a form of monarchy in which the monarch exercises their authority in accordance with a constitution and is not the sole decision-maker. Constitutional monarchies differ from absolute monarchies, in which the monarch holds all the power.
There are at least two types of constitutional monarchies in the modern world: executive and ceremonial. In executive monarchies (or semi-constitutional monarchies), the monarch has significant, but not absolute, power. The monarchy is a powerful political and social institution. In contrast, in ceremonial monarchies, the monarch has little to no political power but often has significant social and cultural influence. Examples of countries with executive monarchies include Liechtenstein and Monaco, where the ruling monarchs wield significant executive power. However, they are not absolute monarchs and have limited power compared to Islamic monarchs.
On the other hand, countries with ceremonial monarchies include the fifteen Commonwealth realms, such as the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, where King Charles III is the monarch. These countries are full democracies, and the monarch has a largely ceremonial role. Other European countries with ceremonial monarchies include Andorra, Belgium, Denmark, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, and Sweden.
Some countries in East and Southeast Asia also have constitutional monarchies, including Bhutan, Cambodia, Japan, and Thailand. In these countries, the monarch's role is limited to ceremonial and representative functions. Additionally, countries like Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Malaysia, and Morocco are constitutional monarchies, but their monarchs retain more substantial powers compared to their European counterparts.
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The British monarchy
Beginning in the 16th century, the monarch was the nominal head of the British Empire, which at its height in 1921 covered a quarter of the world's land area. The Balfour Declaration of 1926 recognised the evolution of the Dominions of the Empire into separate, self-governing countries within a Commonwealth of Nations. The title Emperor of India was added to the British monarch's titles between 1876 and 1948. After World War II, most British colonies and territories became independent, effectively ending the Empire. The United Kingdom and fourteen other independent sovereign states that share the same monarch are now known as Commonwealth realms.
In the UK's constitutional monarchy, the monarch's powers are regulated by the British constitution and they are bound by constitutional convention to act on the advice of the government. The monarch has the power to appoint and dismiss ministers, regulate the civil service, issue passports, declare war, make peace, direct the actions of the military, and negotiate and ratify treaties, alliances, and international agreements. The monarch is also the head of the armed forces and accredits British ambassadors and receives foreign ambassadors. While the monarch has the power to appoint the prime minister, they appoint the individual who commands the support of the House of Commons, usually the leader of the majority party or coalition.
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The Danish monarchy
The history of the Danish Monarchy can be traced back to Gorm the Old, who died in 958. Gorm the Old and his son, Harald Bluetooth, are credited with founding or reuniting the current unified Kingdom of Denmark in the 10th century. Harald Bluetooth's kingdom included the Viking city of Hedeby, Jutland, the Danish isles, southern present-day Sweden, and possibly Norway.
Initially, the eldest son of the reigning monarch was typically elected to become the next king. In the late 1200s, the king had to sign a coronation charter that restricted his power. Absolutism was introduced in 1660-1661, and the elective monarchy was replaced by an inherited monarchy. The succession was based on male primogeniture and was officially established in the Lex Regia of 1665.
The democratic constitution of June 5, 1849, marked a significant transition, changing the monarchy's status from absolute to constitutional. This constitution replaced the old absolutist constitution and established the current branch of the House of Glücksburg as the Royal House. The Act of Succession of March 27, 1953, allowed for the possibility of a female monarch, enabling Queen Margrethe II to accede to the throne in 1972.
The Danish monarch holds symbolic powers and is limited to non-partisan functions, such as bestowing honours and formally appointing the prime minister. They also undertake various official, ceremonial, diplomatic, and representative duties. The monarch's role is defined and limited by the Constitution of Denmark, and their powers are exercised within the constraints of parliamentary laws and conventions.
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Frequently asked questions
A constitutional monarchy is a form of monarchy in which the monarch exercises their authority in accordance with a constitution and is not the sole decision-maker.
In an absolute monarchy, the monarch is the only decision-maker and is not bound by any legal framework. In contrast, a constitutional monarchy is limited by a constitution and an established legal framework.
Examples of constitutional monarchies include the United Kingdom, Denmark, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Morocco, Jordan, Kuwait, and Bhutan.
There are two main types of constitutional monarchies: executive and ceremonial. In executive monarchies, the monarch wields significant power, while in ceremonial monarchies, the monarch holds little to no political influence but may have social and cultural influence.
