Simone Lawson
A constitutional monarchy is a system of government in which a monarch, usually a king or queen, shares power with a constitutionally organized government. The monarch's power is limited by a constitution and they may be the ceremonial leader or the de facto head of state. The constitution allocates the rest of the government's power to the legislature and judiciary. Constitutional monarchies include the United Kingdom, Belgium, Cambodia, Jordan, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and Thailand.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| System of government | Ruled by a king or queen |
| Power limited by a constitution | |
| Head of state | |
| Power shared with a constitutionally organized government | |
| May be a de facto head of state or a ceremonial leader | |
| Ultimate legal responsibility for crucial functions | |
| Power allocated to the legislature and judiciary | |
| Hereditary | |
| Non-partisan | |
| Above politics | |
| Head of various institutions within the state | |
| Possesses limited power | |
| Serves as a figurehead | |
| Function is to embody the national character | |
| Provide constitutional continuity in times of emergency |
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What You'll Learn
Constitutional monarchy vs absolute monarchy
A constitutional monarchy is a system of government in which a monarch (king, queen, emperor, or other hereditary ruler) shares power with a constitutionally organized government. The monarch may be the head of state or a ceremonial leader, but their power is limited by a constitution and an elected parliament. Constitutional monarchies include the United Kingdom, Belgium, Cambodia, Jordan, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and Thailand.
In a constitutional monarchy, the monarch's role is often largely ceremonial and non-political, although they may have some reserve powers or influence. The constitution allocates power to the legislature and judiciary, and the monarch is bound by constitutional convention to act on the advice of the government. Some constitutional monarchies, like Liechtenstein and Monaco, have ruling monarchs who wield significant executive power, but they are still considered liberal democracies because their power is limited by the constitution and elected parliament.
An absolute monarchy, on the other hand, is a form of government in which the monarch holds supreme power and is the sole decision-maker, ruling as a dictator. There are no checks and balances on their power, and they are not bound by a constitution or any other legal framework. Absolute monarchies have existed in various places throughout history, including ancient Hawaii, Russia, and France under Napoleon Bonaparte.
The main difference between a constitutional monarchy and an absolute monarchy lies in the distribution of power. In a constitutional monarchy, power is shared between the monarch and an elected body, whereas in an absolute monarchy, the monarch holds all the power. This distinction has significant implications for the political system, the rule of law, and the protection of individual rights and freedoms.
Some people argue that a benevolent absolute monarch is the ideal form of government, as a skilled ruler could make quick and efficient decisions in the best interests of the country. However, the lack of checks and balances in an absolute monarchy means that there is a risk of misconduct or abuse of power, and it is difficult to hold the monarch accountable. Constitutional monarchies, on the other hand, provide a balance between the power of the monarch and that of an elected government, which can help to prevent abuses of power and ensure stability and continuity in times of political crisis.
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The role of the monarch
A constitutional monarchy is a system of government in which a monarch shares power with a constitutionally organized government. The role of the monarch varies depending on the type of constitutional monarchy. There are two main types: executive (or semi-constitutional) monarchy and ceremonial monarchy.
In an executive monarchy, the monarch wields significant power and is a powerful political and social institution. They may be the de facto head of state and have substantial powers comparable to those of a president in a presidential or semi-presidental system. For example, the monarch of Liechtenstein has the power to veto laws, although this power is rarely used. In Thailand, the monarch is recognized as the Head of State, Head of the Armed Forces, Upholder of the Buddhist Religion, and Defender of the Faith. They also retain certain powers under the constitution, such as the ability to play a role in politics.
In a ceremonial monarchy, on the other hand, the monarch holds little or no actual power or direct political influence. Their role is primarily symbolic and cultural, embodying and representing the nation. The British monarchy, for example, is primarily ceremonial, with the British Parliament and Government exercising their powers under "royal prerogative" on behalf of the monarch.
It's important to note that even in ceremonial monarchies, the monarch may retain certain reserve powers and play an important political role. For example, according to British political theorist Walter Bagehot, a constitutional monarch has three main political rights: the right to be consulted, the right to encourage, and the right to warn. Additionally, the monarch is typically immune from taxation and certain property restrictions, and they may be exempt from legal consequences due to sovereign immunity.
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The history of constitutional monarchy
A constitutional monarchy is a system of government in which a monarch acts as the head of state, but the political power is held by a constitutionally organized body, such as a parliament. This is in contrast to absolute monarchies, in which the monarch wields total power over the government and the people.
In the 16th century, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, formed after the Union of Lublin in 1569, operated much like many modern European constitutional monarchies. The king was elected and had the duty of maintaining the people's rights, while the state had a bicameral parliament and a collection of legal documents amounting to a constitution. This lasted until the final partition of the state in 1795.
The signing of the Magna Carta in 1512 marked the beginning of constitutional monarchies supplanting absolute monarchies. This was due to various factors, including weak or tyrannical rulers, failure to provide funds for public needs, and refusal to address the grievances of the people.
During the French Revolution, France briefly transitioned from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy with the promulgation of the French Constitution of 1791. However, this first French constitutional monarchy was short-lived and ended with the overthrow of the monarchy and the establishment of the French First Republic in 1792.
In the 19th century, several countries adopted constitutional monarchies, including the Anglo-Corsican Kingdom (1794-1796), Portugal (1822-1828 and again from 1834-1910), and the Empire of Brazil (1822-1889).
In the 20th century, countries such as Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Jordan, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and Barbados became constitutional monarchies. Thailand's constitutional monarchy played a significant role in the country's political changes, with the monarch often acting as a mediator between disputing political opponents.
Today, there are 43 constitutional monarchies in the world, and they are all members of the Commonwealth of Nations.
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Examples of constitutional monarchies
A constitutional monarchy is a system of government in which a country is ruled by a king or queen whose power is limited by a constitution. 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.
There are at least two different types of constitutional monarchies in the modern world: executive and ceremonial. In executive monarchies (also called semi-constitutional monarchies), the monarch wields significant (but not absolute) power. By contrast, in ceremonial monarchies, the monarch holds little or no actual power or direct political influence, though they frequently still have a great deal of social and cultural influence.
Some examples of constitutional monarchies include:
- The United Kingdom
- Belgium
- The Netherlands
- Norway
- Spain
- Sweden
- Thailand
- Japan
- Canada
- Australia
- Jordan
- Liechtenstein
- Monaco
- Malaysia
- Cambodia
- Denmark
- Luxembourg
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The future of constitutional monarchy
A constitutional monarchy is a form of government in which a king or queen is the head of state, but their power is limited by a constitution. 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.
One of the key questions surrounding the future of constitutional monarchy is whether countries will choose to make a transition to a republican form of government. This has been a topic of discussion in countries such as Australia, which appointed an Assistant Minister for the Republic in 2022 with the intention of moving towards a republic after the next election. Similarly, countries like Antigua and Barbuda, Jamaica, and Belize are also expected to hold referendums on becoming a republic.
The start of a new reign, such as that of King Charles III, provides an opportunity to reappraise the monarchy and consider potential changes to its role and function. This reappraisal is already taking place in many of the Commonwealth realms, which share the same person as the hereditary monarchy under the Westminster system of constitutional governance.
While some countries may choose to transition to a republican form of government, it is important to note that constitutional monarchies can still retain significant authority and political influence through reserve powers and their role as a symbol of national unity. In some cases, the monarch may still have formal powers, such as dissolving parliament or giving royal assent to legislation, even if their ability to make and pass legislation is limited.
In conclusion, the future of constitutional monarchy is a complex and evolving topic that varies across different countries. While some nations may choose to transition to a republic, others may retain their monarchies while adapting to changing political and social landscapes. The role of the monarchy in a modern context, especially in times of political crisis, remains an important question for constitutional monarchies to address.
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Frequently asked questions
A constitutional monarchy is a system of government in which a country is ruled by a king or queen whose power is limited by a constitution.
There are at least two types of constitutional monarchy: executive and ceremonial. In executive monarchies, also called semi-constitutional monarchies, the monarch wields significant power, though not absolute. In ceremonial monarchies, the monarch holds little or no political power but may have social and cultural influence.
The monarch is the head of state and is above politics. They are non-partisan and have a largely ceremonial role. They appoint and remove the Prime Minister and other ministers, dissolve Parliament, approve important laws, and act as head of the Armed Forces and the official religion.
In an absolute monarchy, the monarch has unchecked power. In a constitutional monarchy, the monarch's power is limited by the constitution and they rule alongside an elected government.
