Omar Bennett
The oldest constitutional monarchy dating back to ancient times was that of the Hittites, an ancient Anatolian people who lived during the Bronze Age. The world's best-known constitutional monarchy is the United Kingdom, also known as the House of Windsor, ruled by King Charles III. Other constitutional monarchies include Belgium, Cambodia, Jordan, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and Thailand. There are 15 constitutional monarchies under King Charles III, which are known as Commonwealth realms. The Kingdom of Laos was a constitutional monarchy until 1975, when Sisavang Vatthana was forced to abdicate by the communist Pathet Lao. Pakistan was a constitutional monarchy for a brief period between gaining its independence from the British on 14 August 1947 and becoming a republic when it adopted the first Constitution of Pakistan on 23 March 1956.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of countries with constitutional monarchies | 15 |
| Names of countries with constitutional monarchies | United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Belgium, Cambodia, Jordan, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, Malta (until 1974), Pakistan (until 1956), Italy (until 1946), Laos (until 1975), Pahlavi Iran (until 1979) |
| Powers of the monarch | Reserve or prerogative powers to be used in times of extreme emergency or constitutional crisis |
| Type of government | Representative democracy |
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What You'll Learn
The Hittites were the oldest constitutional monarchy
The Hittites were an ancient Anatolian people who lived during the Bronze Age. They are often credited as the world's first constitutional monarchy, with some debate surrounding this claim. The history of the Hittite civilization is mostly known from cuneiform texts and diplomatic and commercial correspondence found in the archives of Assyria, Babylonia, Egypt, and the broader Middle East.
The Hittite monarchy was headed by a king, who was the supreme ruler of the land and held various roles, including military commander, judicial authority, and high priest. However, the king had to share his authority with an assembly called the Panku, which was composed of nobles from scattered families. The Panku served as a high court for constitutional crimes, including murder, and even the king was subject to its jurisdiction.
One notable aspect of the Hittite monarchy was the effort to regulate royal succession. King Telepinu, considered the last king of the Old Kingdom of the Hittites, issued the Edict of Telepinu, which designated the Panku as the high court and established rules for succession to the throne. This edict helped end a period of constant civil war and assassinations that plagued the Hittite Kingdom early in its history.
The Hittites also developed a strong legal system that applied to all members of society, including royalty and nobility. For example, Prince Hattusilli described how he stood trial after being sued, and Queen Tanuhepa was sued and exiled as a result of the legal process. This indicates that the Hittite monarchy had a well-established legal framework that held even the highest members of society accountable.
In conclusion, while there is ongoing discussion about the accuracy of the claim, the Hittites are considered by some to be the oldest constitutional monarchy. Their monarchy combined elements of royal authority with a system of checks and balances, as the king shared power with the Panku assembly. The Hittites' innovative political structure and strong legal system have contributed to their recognition as a significant civilization in ancient history.
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Pahlavi Iran was a constitutional monarchy
Several countries have had constitutional monarchies, including the oldest known constitutional monarchy of the Hittites, an ancient Anatolian people who lived during the Bronze Age. The Hittite king shared authority with an assembly called the Panku, which was equivalent to a modern-day legislature.
Pahlavi Iran, under Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi, was also a constitutional monarchy. It was established during the Persian Constitutional Revolution in 1906 and lasted until 1979, when the Pahlavi dynasty was overthrown. The Pahlavi dynasty was the last Iranian royal dynasty, ruling from 1925 to 1979 and consisting of two rulers: Reza Khan (ruled as Reza Shah Pahlavi from 1925 to 1941) and his son, Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi (ruled from 1941 to 1979).
Initially, Reza Khan considered proclaiming Iran a republic, similar to what Atatürk had done in Turkey. However, he faced opposition from both British and clerical forces and ultimately abandoned the idea. Instead, in 1925, the Majlis declared Reza Khan as the new Shah of Iran, pursuant to the Persian Constitution of 1906.
During the reign of Reza Shah Pahlavi, educational and judicial reforms were implemented, laying the foundation for a modern state and reducing the influence of the religious classes. In 1951, under the prime ministership of Mohammad Mosaddegh, Iran's oil industry was nationalized, leading to an economic embargo imposed by Britain. In 1953, following a coup funded by the CIA, the Iranian monarch fled the country, and Mohammad Reza Shah returned to appoint a new prime minister.
Pahlavi Iran's constitutional monarchy lasted for approximately 28 years, from 1925 until 1953. After 1953, the monarchy became more autocratic until it was overthrown in 1979.
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The Kingdom of Laos was a constitutional monarchy
The lineage of the monarchy can be traced back to Chao Fa Ngum, who founded the Kingdom of Lan Xang in 1353. The Kingdom of Lan Xang endured as a unified entity for three hundred years (1353-1694) before splitting into the kingdoms of Vientiane, Luang Prabang, and Champasak. In 1946, these kingdoms were unified under a French protectorate to form the Kingdom of Laos, which gained independence in 1953.
The constitutional monarchy of Laos was established with Sisavang Vong as King and Prince Souvanna Phouma as Prime Minister. The Prime Minister, under the constitution, appointed his ministers and received counsel from the King. The Kingdom of Laos was divided into five military regions, each with its own branch of the Royal Lao Armed Forces: the Royal Lao Army, the Royal Lao Navy, and the Royal Lao Air Force.
The country's civil war from 1959 to 1975 saw the communist Pathet Lao, supported by North Vietnam and the Soviet Union, fight against the Royal Lao Armed Forces, who were backed by the United States. The civil war ended with the establishment of the Lao People's Democratic Republic in 1975, a one-party socialist state that abolished the monarchy and has controlled Laos since.
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Malta was a constitutional monarchy
The oldest constitutional monarchy dating back to ancient times was that of the Hittites, an ancient Anatolian people who lived during the Bronze Age. The king of the Hittites shared his authority with an assembly called the Panku, which functioned similarly to a modern-day legislature. Many other countries have since adopted constitutional monarchies, including the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Malta's transition from a constitutional monarchy to a republic occurred within a broader context of political and social changes in the country. From 1972 to 1987, Malta followed a policy of nonalignment, and a neutrality clause was included in its constitution in 1987. During this time, the Maltese government also made significant changes to the education system, moving away from the previous British-influenced model.
As a constitutional monarchy, Malta's head of state was the monarch, who held significant "reserve" or "prerogative" powers. These powers could be wielded in times of extreme emergency or constitutional crisis to uphold parliamentary government. While the monarch had these powers, the day-to-day governance of the country was handled by a democratically elected body, such as a parliament and prime minister.
Today, Malta is a unitary multiparty republic with a unicameral House of Representatives. Members of the parliament are elected by proportional representation for five-year terms, and the parliament appoints the president, who is the head of state. The president acts on the advice of the cabinet, which is headed by the prime minister, who is the head of the government.
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Pakistan was a constitutional monarchy
The Dominion of Pakistan had a total of two monarchs: George VI and Elizabeth II. The role of the monarch was defined under the Constitution, with most duties carried out by the Governor-General of Pakistan. The monarchy of Pakistan was created by the Indian Independence Act of 1947, which divided British India into two new countries: India and Pakistan, with both becoming independent constitutional monarchies.
Pakistan's transition to a republic is commemorated annually on 23 March, known as Republic Day or Pakistan Day. This marked a shift in the country's form of government, as the new constitution abolished the monarchy.
Constitutional monarchies are a form of limited monarchy, where the monarch's powers are restricted and often combined with a representative democracy. The monarch may be the head of state, but their role is largely ceremonial, with the country being governed by a democratically elected body, such as a parliament and prime minister.
Other countries that have had constitutional monarchies include the ancient Hittites, Pahlavi Iran, Italy, the Kingdom of Laos, Malta, and Mexico. The United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are examples of contemporary constitutional monarchies, with King Charles III as their head of state.
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Frequently asked questions
There are 15 nations under the British monarchy that are constitutional monarchies, including New Zealand, Australia, and Canada. Other constitutional monarchies include Belgium, Cambodia, Jordan, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and Thailand.
A constitutional monarchy is 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 Kingdom of Laos was a constitutional monarchy until 1975, when Sisavang Vatthana was forced to abdicate by the communist Pathet Lao.
The oldest constitutional monarchy was that of the Hittites, an ancient Anatolian people that lived during the Bronze Age.
Pakistan was a constitutional monarchy for a brief period between gaining its independence from the British on 14 August 1947 and becoming a republic when it adopted the first Constitution of Pakistan on 23 March 1956.
