Eleanor Finch
Constitutional monarchy, also known as limited monarchy, parliamentary monarchy, or democratic monarchy, is a form of government in which a monarch shares power with a constitutionally organized government. The powers of the monarch are limited by a constitution, which also places the law-making power in the legislature. While the constitution of a constitutional monarchy grants the legislative power to parliament, the parliament does not claim sovereignty as it only exercises a part of sovereign power. The United Kingdom, for example, does not have a single document called the constitution but is considered a constitutional monarchy. The development of constitutional monarchies can be traced back to the 18th century, with the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, formed after the Union of Lublin in 1569, often cited as the first constitutional monarchy in Europe. The 1628 Petition of Right, a major English constitutional document, is also considered a foundational text for the United Kingdom's modern constitutional monarchy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Origin | 18th century |
| Type of Government | The monarch shares power with a constitutionally organized government |
| Powers of the Monarch | Bound to exercise powers and authorities within limits prescribed by an established legal framework |
| Law-Making Power | The constitution places the law-making power in the legislature |
| Examples | Liechtenstein, Monaco, Morocco, Jordan, Kuwait, Bahrain, Bhutan, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Spain, Belgium, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Lesotho, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Japan |
| Historical Documents | Petition of Right (1628), Bill of Rights, Claim of Right, Magna Carter (1215) |
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What You'll Learn
The Petition of Right
The passage of the Petition of Right marked a significant cooperative effort between individual parliamentarians and between the Commons and Lords, which was previously lacking. It led to the formation of political parties and had a profound influence on the rights contained in the Constitution of the United States. Despite being accepted by Charles to continue receiving subsidies, he later ignored its principles and claimed it was not a legal document. However, it was confirmed as a legal statute in 1641 by the Long Parliament, and it remains one of England's most famous constitutional documents.
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The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth
The Commonwealth's political doctrine can be summed up as "our state is a republic under the presidency of the King." This idea was echoed by Chancellor Jan Zamoyski, who stated, "The King reigns but [does] not govern." The Commonwealth had a bicameral parliament and a collection of entrenched legal documents amounting to a constitution. The king held formal authority, but his power was limited by the constitution and the influence of the nobility.
In 1572, the death of Sigismund II Augustus, the last king of the Jagiellonian dynasty, without any heirs, threw the political system into disarray. After much debate, it was decided that the entire nobility of Poland and Lithuania would elect a new king. This interregnum period also saw adjustments to the constitutional system that significantly increased the power of the Polish nobility.
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The Glorious Revolution
William's invasion was successful, and James was forced to flee to France. William and Mary were crowned joint rulers in April 1689, swearing to govern according to the laws of Parliament rather than those of the monarchy. This marked a crucial turning point in the balance of power, as Parliament's authority over the monarchy grew, and the seeds of political democracy were sown. The revolution's impact extended beyond England, triggering uprisings in the American colonies, including the Boston Revolt and Leisler's Rebellion in New York.
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The English Constitution
The United Kingdom's modern constitutional monarchy is considered to have been founded by the 1628 Petition of Right, a major English constitutional document that sets out specific liberties of the subjects that the king is prohibited from infringing. Drafted by a committee headed by Sir Edward Coke, it was passed and ratified in 1628. The Petition of Right also marked a substantial cooperative work between individual parliamentarians and between the Commons and Lords, leading to the formation of political parties.
The 1628 Petition of Right was preceded by the 1215 Magna Carta, which, though not a constitution, is considered a significant point in the development of the UK's constitutional system. The Magna Carta, or "Great Charter", was an agreement between King John and a group of English barons who had been part of a rebellion against the King. It required the King to call a "common counsel", now known as Parliament, to represent the people.
Another important document in the development of the English Constitution is the Act of Settlement of 1701, which prevented Catholics from taking the English throne and provided for the ascension of the House of Hanover. This act established Parliament's right to decide on the line of succession, further enhancing its power and independence from the monarchy.
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The US Constitution
In the years following the American Revolution, there were several proposals to create an independent monarchy in the United States. On May 22, 1782, Colonel Lewis Nicola wrote the Newburgh letter, proposing that George Washington, who was camped at Newburgh, New York, should become the King of the United States. Washington strongly opposed the idea, preferring a republican form of government. Similarly, in 1786, the President of the Continental Congress, Nathaniel Gorham, reportedly offered the crown to Henry of Prussia, which was turned down.
During the Constitutional Convention of 1787, Alexander Hamilton argued that the President of the United States should be an elective monarch, ruling for "good behavior" and with extensive powers. However, his proposal was resoundingly voted down in favor of a four-year term with the possibility of reelection.
While the US Constitution established a republican form of government, the idea of a constitutional monarchy has persisted in the United States, albeit with low popularity. The Constantian Society, founded in 1970 by Randall J. Dicks, promoted the idea of constitutional monarchy as a superior form of government. Additionally, polls conducted in 1950, 1999, 2013, and 2018 showed a slight increase in support for the idea of a royal family or constitutional monarchy in the United States, with a 2021 poll showing 5% of Americans expressing support for a monarchy.
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Frequently asked questions
A constitutional monarchy is a system of government in which a monarch shares power with a constitutionally organized government. The constitution grants the rest of the government's power to the legislature.
Examples of constitutional monarchies include the United Kingdom, Norway, Sweden, Japan, and Thailand.
The 1628 Petition of Right, the Bill of Rights, and the Claim of Right are all documents that contributed to the establishment of constitutional monarchy in the United Kingdom.
In a constitutional monarchy, the monarch is bound by constitutional convention and does not have absolute power. They may hold formal powers such as dissolving parliament or giving royal assent to legislation, but these powers are generally exercised in accordance with written constitutional principles rather than personal political preferences.
