Omar Bennett
A constitutional republic is a form of representative democracy, where the chief executive and representatives are elected, and the rules are set down in a written constitution. The opposite of a constitutional republic is a monarchy, where the source of authority is not a constitution but heredity or divine right. While constitutional monarchies are a special case, with the people electing other governing bodies, the term constitutional republic is sometimes used in contrast with democracy. In this context, the opposite of a constitutional republic could be considered a dictatorship, where power is concentrated in a single person or entity without the same limitations or separation of powers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Governing state | Chief executive and representatives are not elected |
| Rules | Not set down in a written constitution |
| Power | Unlimited power held by a single officeholder |
| Court system | Not independent from representatives |
| Separation of powers | No separation |
| Monarchy | Absolute monarchy |
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What You'll Learn
Absolute monarchy
The decline of absolute monarchy began with the French Revolution, which popularized the idea of popular sovereignty, or government by the people. Absolutism was further weakened after World War I, leading to the emergence of new political theories and movements opposing liberal democracy. Today, absolute monarchies are rare, with countries like Brunei, Eswatini, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Vatican City being notable examples.
In contrast to constitutional monarchies, where the authority of the monarch is restricted by legislatures or customs, or balanced by other officials, absolute monarchies grant the ruler unlimited power. The Ottoman Empire, with the Sultan as the absolute ruler, is an example of this. The theory of ""divine right," which asserts that a monarch's authority is bestowed by God, has often been used to justify absolute monarchy throughout history.
Overall, absolute monarchy represents a concentration of legislative, executive, and judicial powers in a single individual, devoid of the checks and balances present in a constitutional republic.
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Dictatorship
In a dictatorship, power is concentrated in the hands of a single individual, known as a dictator, or a small group of individuals, who often maintain control through repression of any opposition. This can include the use of force, censorship, and the suppression of rival political parties or dissenting voices. Dictatorships can emerge through various means, including military coups, self-coups, or the gradual accumulation of power by elected leaders.
One notable example of a dictatorship is the rule of Muammar Gaddafi in Libya, which lasted for several decades following a military coup. Other examples include Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo in Equatorial Guinea, Mobutu Sese Seko in Zaire (formerly the Democratic Republic of the Congo), and Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe.
Personalist dictatorships, also known as caudillismo, are centred around the cult of personality of a single individual, who exercises power independently of any political party or military institution. The dictator surrounds themselves with an inner circle of loyalists, often handpicked from among their close friends and family members, who help them maintain control. This type of dictatorship is often associated with pageantry and glamour, and it is common for the dictator to have a military background.
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Anarchy
By the late 18th century, some philosophers began to defend anarchy as a preferable alternative to tyranny, laying the groundwork for anarchism, which seeks to establish anarchy through decentralisation and federalism. In essence, anarchy is defined by the absence of government and, more broadly, the absence of governance. This perspective views anarchy as synonymous with chaos or social disorder, assuming that without a governing body, disorder is inevitable.
Anarchists, however, such as Errico Malatesta, define anarchy more precisely as a society without authority or hierarchy. They argue that anarchy does not necessarily equate to chaos but rather represents a form of self-governance or the "rule of all". In an anarchic system, each state reserves the right to decide what is just and necessary for itself, often leading to power-maximising behaviour and a culture of militarism and bellicosity.
Anarchism is often associated with the belief that anarchy can be overcome through international institutions like the United Nations and the widespread acceptance of international law. Realists, however, argue that the UN, in its current form, lacks the independent coercive power to enforce international law, and thus, the state of anarchy persists. They contend that anarchy in the state system encourages individual states to act in their self-interest, leading to a heightened risk of large-scale wars and power-transition crises.
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Tyranny
A constitutional republic is a governing state where the chief executive and representatives are elected, and the rules are set down in a written constitution. The power of the head of state and other representatives is limited by the constitution, and an independent court system decides on disputes regarding the constitution's meaning. This form of government ensures that no single officeholder has unlimited power, creating a system of checks and balances.
The opposite of a constitutional republic is a system where power is concentrated in a single person or entity, without the limitations and separation of powers that characterise a republic. One such system is tyranny, where power is wielded by a single ruler or a small group, often through oppressive and arbitrary means.
In a tyranny, the rights and liberties of citizens are often severely restricted or ignored altogether. The ruler or ruling group may exert control through fear, coercion, and the use of force. Dissent and opposition are typically suppressed, and the rule of law may be non-existent or applied selectively to maintain the ruler's power.
The absence of a written constitution or an independent judiciary further consolidates the tyrant's power, allowing them to make and interpret laws according to their whims. This lack of checks and balances enables the ruler to act with impunity, often resulting in human rights abuses, corruption, and the erosion of democratic norms and institutions.
While a constitutional republic seeks to distribute power and protect the rights of the people, tyranny represents a stark departure from these principles, concentrating power in the hands of a few and prioritising control over the freedoms and well-being of the governed.
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Constitutional monarchy
A constitutional monarchy is a system of government where a monarch acts as the head of state and shares power with a constitutionally organized government. The monarch may be a ceremonial leader or a de facto head of state. The constitution allocates the rest of the government's power to the legislature and judiciary. The UK is a constitutional monarchy with a monarch who appoints the prime minister, proclaims laws, and handles foreign relations. The real power in the UK is held by Parliament.
A constitutional monarchy is different from an absolute monarchy, where there is no constitutional government, and the king or queen holds all the power to govern the people. In a constitutional monarchy, the legislature holds the most political power. The monarch's role is governed by the constitution of the country, and their power is limited by it.
The first form of a constitution was enacted with the Magna Carta in 1215, which limited the power of the monarchy and held the king within the rule of law. The United States is not a constitutional monarchy, but the Magna Carta was used as a framework for its constitution.
Many constitutional monarchies still retain significant authority or political influence, such as through certain reserve powers. Some constitutional monarchies where the monarch retains substantial powers have been referred to as "crowned republics" by writers H.G. Wells and Glenn Patmore. Examples of constitutional monarchies include the United Kingdom, Norway, Sweden, Japan, and Thailand.
Now, to answer your question about the opposite of a constitutional republic: a constitutional republic is a governing state where the chief executive and representatives are elected, and the rules are set down in a written constitution. The people hold the supreme power in a republic, and they use this power directly or indirectly through representation. A constitutional monarchy, as described above, is a system where the monarch is not elected, and their power is limited by a constitution. Therefore, the opposite of a constitutional republic could be a constitutional monarchy, where the power dynamics and distribution differ, and the people do not directly elect the head of state.
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Frequently asked questions
A constitutional republic is a governing state where the chief executive and representatives are elected, and the rules are set down in a written constitution.
The opposite of a constitutional republic is a monarchy, where power is typically held by a single family through heredity or divine right.
Yes, there are different types of monarchy. An absolute monarchy is where the monarch holds total power. A constitutional monarchy is where a constitution limits the power of the monarch, and the people elect other governing bodies.
Yes, another alternative is a dictatorship, where a single person or a small group of people hold all the power and often use it to oppress their citizens.
Throughout history, there have been many examples of monarchies and other non-republican forms of government. For example, the French monarchy during the Age of Revolution and the absolute monarchy of Louis XVI and his wife, Marie Antoinette.
