Simone Lawson
A semi-constitutional monarchy is a form of constitutional government where the monarch rules according to a democratic constitution but retains substantial powers. This is in contrast to a constitutional monarchy, where the monarch has a largely ceremonial role and exercises limited or no political power. In a semi-constitutional monarchy, the monarch wields significant power, though not absolute, and their role is more than just symbolic. They have influence over the state, almost to the degree of an absolute monarchy, but are limited in some respects. Examples of semi-constitutional monarchies include the German Empire, Brazil, and the Principality of Liechtenstein.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| The monarch has substantial powers | Varies, but can be on par with a president in a semi-presidential system |
| The monarch rules according to a democratic constitution | The constitution can limit the monarch's power |
| The monarch is the head of state | The monarch may be hereditary or elected |
| The monarch has influence over the state | The monarch's power may be limited in some small respect |
| The monarch has more power than the prime minister | The monarch may have the power to veto laws proposed by the legislature |
| The monarch has a great deal of social and cultural influence |
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What You'll Learn
Semi-constitutional monarchy vs absolute monarchy
A semi-constitutional monarchy, also known as an executive monarchy, is a form of government where the monarch wields significant power, although not absolute. The monarchy in this system is a powerful political and social institution. The monarch rules according to a democratic constitution but retains substantial powers. For example, the Prince of Liechtenstein has the power to veto any law that the Landtag (parliament) proposes, while the Landtag can veto any law that the Prince tries to pass.
On the other hand, an absolute monarchy is a system where the monarch has autocratic powers and is the sole decision-maker. Absolute monarchs possess powers to such an extent that their countries do not qualify as democracies. The extent of the monarch's power in an absolute monarchy is in stark contrast to that of a semi-constitutional monarchy, where the monarch's powers are limited by a constitution.
While most modern monarchies are constitutional monarchies, there have been several historical examples of semi-constitutional monarchies. For instance, Brazil with the moderation power of the Emperor, and the German Empire, which gave a fair bit of power to the Kaiser. Britain was also considered a semi-constitutional monarchy for much of its history, especially after the Glorious Revolution, when monarchs had a great deal of influence in deciding who would be Prime Minister.
Some argue that Queen Elizabeth I of England ruled in a semi-constitutional manner, as the monarchy during her reign had limited powers, and this era was considered a golden age for England. Similarly, the German Empire from 1871 to 1918 was a constitutional monarchy, as was the Kingdom of Hawaii from 1840 to 1893, after King Kamehameha III established the kingdom's first constitution.
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Semi-constitutional monarchies in modern times
A semi-constitutional monarchy is a form of constitutional government where the monarch rules according to a democratic constitution but retains substantial powers. In other words, the monarch has influence over the state almost to the degree of an absolute monarchy but is limited in some respects.
In modern times, most monarchies are constitutional monarchies, where the monarch has a unique legal and ceremonial role but exercises limited or no political power. However, there are still some examples of semi-constitutional monarchies around the world. For instance, the Principality of Liechtenstein and the Principality of Monaco are European semi-constitutional monarchies. In 2003, a referendum in Liechtenstein gave the Prince the power to veto any law proposed by the Landtag (parliament), while the Landtag can veto any law the Prince tries to pass. Similarly, in 2008, the Austenasian Monarchy of the Empire of Austenasia was intended to be mostly ceremonial with few actual powers. However, under the reign of Emperor Esmond III, the monarch started to wield more personal power, and a new constitution in 2011 gave the monarch a wide range of powers, even more so than the Prime Minister.
Historically, some nations that are now constitutional monarchies or republics had features of semi-constitutional monarchies. For example, following the Glorious Revolution in Britain, monarchs had a great deal of influence and power, especially in deciding who would be Prime Minister. During the French Revolution, King Louis XVI attempted to establish a semi-constitutional monarchy by giving the Estates-General the power to vote on taxes, thereby limiting his power, but he denied them any legislative role. Vietnam was a semi-constitutional monarchy from 1949 to 1955, with Bảo Đại as its emperor and head of state, but political power was also in the hands of the government and the National Advisory Council.
Some argue that semi-constitutional monarchies can provide stability and protect the rights of individuals, as the monarch has the power to check the impulses of the mob. However, others advocate for the abolition of monarchies and the establishment of republics, where power is held by elected representatives.
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Examples of semi-constitutional monarchies
A semi-constitutional monarchy is a system of government where the actions of a monarch are guided by a constitution, but the monarch retains substantial powers and can exert a large measure of political influence.
- Vietnam was a semi-constitutional monarchy from 1949 to 1955 under Emperor Bảo Đại, who was the Head of State. However, political power was also shared with the government and the National Advisory Council.
- Brazil was a semi-constitutional monarchy with the Emperor having moderation powers.
- The German Empire gave a fair bit of power to the Kaiser.
- Jordan is a semi-constitutional monarchy with a bicameral legislature. The lower house is elected by proportional representation, while the upper house is appointed by the king. The prime minister is also appointed by the king and, while the legislature can veto the king's decrees, the king can dissolve the legislature and rule independently.
- The United Kingdom has been described as a semi-constitutional monarchy for much of its history, especially following the Glorious Revolution, when monarchs had a great deal of influence and power, including in deciding who would be Prime Minister.
- Greece is another example, where the monarchy was restored in 1935 after a referendum, likely installed by Prime Minister and General Georgios Kondylis.
- The Principality of Liechtenstein and the Principality of Monaco are also examples of European semi-constitutional monarchies. For instance, the Prince of Liechtenstein has the power to veto any law that the Landtag (parliament) proposes.
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Semi-constitutional monarchies in history
A semi-constitutional monarchy is a system of government where the monarch rules according to a democratic constitution but retains substantial powers. Executive monarchies, also called semi-constitutional monarchies, are where the monarch wields significant (but not absolute) power. The monarchy in this system of government is a powerful political and social institution.
Britain was a semi-constitutional monarchy for much of its history. Contrary to popular belief, the monarchs following the Glorious Revolution did have a great deal of influence and power, especially in deciding who would be Prime Minister. William III, Queen Anne, and George III certainly exercised this power.
Queen Elizabeth I is also thought to have ruled semi-constitutionally, and this was a golden age for England. The style of ruling appeared to produce benefits for the English.
Brazil was a semi-constitutional monarchy with the moderation power of the Emperor. The German Empire also gave a fair bit of power to the Kaiser.
Vietnam was a semi-constitutional monarchy from 1949 to 1955, with Bảo Đại as its emperor. He was called the Head of State, but political power was also in the hands of the government and the National Advisory Council.
The Principality of Liechtenstein and the Principality of Monaco are European semi-constitutional monarchies. For example, the 2003 Constitution referendum gave the Prince of Liechtenstein the power to veto any law that the Landtag (parliament) proposes, while the Landtag can veto any law that the Prince tries to pass.
Other constitutional monarchies that have been described as semi-constitutional include Belgium, Cambodia, Jordan, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and Thailand.
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Semi-constitutional monarchies in micronations
A semi-constitutional monarchy is a form of government where the monarch rules according to a democratic constitution but retains substantial powers. This system combines constitutional monarchy and absolute monarchy, where the monarch has broad powers in the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, but their power is subject to limitations from the constitution and the will of the people.
Micronations, like their larger counterparts, can have varying forms of government, including semi-constitutional monarchies. Micronations are known to have a wide variety of forms of monarchy, with differences in the degree of power, limits on tenure, and the determination of who the monarch is. Some micronational monarchies create their own systems of hereditary succession, while others are elective monarchies, where the monarch is elected by the people or a set of aristocratic electors.
One example of a semi-constitutional monarchy in a micronation is the Kingdom of Buddendorf, which officially practices Novaksism, a system developed by Fabian I. Novaksism contains elements of both absolute and constitutional monarchy, with the monarch's power subject to constitutional limitations. Citizens in Buddendorf regularly influence state policy through referendums and individual consultations with the monarch.
Another example of a micronation with a semi-constitutional monarchy is Vietnam from 1949 to 1955, when it was ruled by Emperor Bảo Đại, who was the Head of State. While political power was also held by the government and the National Advisory Council, the Emperor still retained substantial powers in this semi-constitutional monarchy.
The concept of semi-constitutional monarchy is often defined differently by individual states or persons, and it can be challenging to establish clear distinctions between different types of monarchies, especially in the case of liberal democracies that restrain monarchic power in practice rather than through written law.
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Frequently asked questions
A semi-constitutional monarchy is a form of constitutional government where the monarch rules according to a democratic constitution but retains substantial powers.
Examples of semi-constitutional monarchies include the Principality of Liechtenstein, the Principality of Monaco, and the Empire of Austenasia. Vietnam was a semi-constitutional monarchy from 1949 to 1955.
In a constitutional monarchy, the monarch has limited or no political power and mainly performs representative and civic roles. In contrast, a semi-constitutional monarchy allows the monarch to wield significant power, similar to that of a president in a semi-presidential system.
