Eleanor Finch
Constitutional monarchy, also known as limited, parliamentary, or democratic monarchy, is a form of government in which the monarch's authority is restricted by a constitution and other decision-makers. While the monarch may be a symbolic head of state, they do not hold absolute power and instead share decision-making with a parliament or other body. This is in contrast to absolute monarchy, where the monarch is the sole decision-maker. Constitutional monarchies can be found in countries such as the United Kingdom, Denmark, Norway, Japan, and Thailand, and are often argued to provide stability and prevent extreme politics. German philosopher Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel and writer George Orwell are among those who have supported this form of government, with the latter suggesting it can prevent the rise of fascism.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| The monarch exercises their authority in accordance with a constitution and is not alone in making decisions | The constitution grants discretionary powers to the sovereign |
| The monarch retains significantly less, if any, personal discretion in the exercise of their authority | The monarch is a hereditary symbolic head of state |
| The monarch is a check on the wills of populist politicians | The monarch represents entrenched customs and traditions |
| The monarch is not beholden to politicians | The monarch performs representative and civic roles but does not exercise executive or policy-making power |
| The monarch is not a divinely appointed ruler |
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What You'll Learn
- German philosopher Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel philosophically justified constitutional monarchy in his work 'Elements of the Philosophy of Right' (1820)
- Constitutional monarchy is also known as limited monarchy, parliamentary monarchy, or democratic monarchy
- Constitutional monarchies differ from absolute monarchies as the monarch's powers are limited by a legal framework
- Constitutional monarchies are hereditary symbolic heads of state who perform civic and representative roles
- Examples of constitutional monarchies include the United Kingdom, Norway, Japan, and Bhutan
German philosopher Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel philosophically justified constitutional monarchy in his work 'Elements of the Philosophy of Right' (1820)
German philosopher Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel philosophically justified constitutional monarchy in his work "Elements of the Philosophy of Right" (1820). Hegel's philosophical system is divided into three parts: the science of logic, the philosophy of nature, and the philosophy of spirit. His views on history, society, and the state are of enduring interest and fall within the realm of Objective Spirit.
Hegel's "Elements of the Philosophy of Right" was published in 1820 after his move to Berlin. It was originally written in German as "Naturrecht und Staatswissenschaften in Grundrisse; Grundlinien der Philosophie des Rechts" (Natural Law and the Science of the State; Elements of the Philosophy of Right). The work was later republished by Eduard Gans in 1833 and 1854 as part of Hegel’s Werke, vol. viii, and included additions from notes taken by students during Hegel’s lectures. An English language translation by T. M. Knox was also released, referring to the later editions as well as an earlier 1923 edition by Georg Lasson, which included corrections from previous editions.
In his work, Hegel describes the state of his time, a constitutional monarchy, as rationally embodying three cooperative and mutually inclusive elements: democracy, aristocracy, and monarchy. Hegel's ideal sovereign is weaker than was typical in monarchies during his time, and his democratic element is weaker than in modern democracies. Hegel insists upon the importance of public participation but severely limits suffrage, following the English bicameral model. In this model, only members of the lower house, consisting of commoners and the bourgeoisie, are elected officials, while nobles in the upper house, like the monarch, inherit their positions.
Hegel is particularly concerned with binding the monarch to the constitution, limiting the monarch's authority. The monarch's role is symbolic, and they do not exercise executive or policy-making power. Hegel does not appeal to a conception of the separation and balance of powers, but he acknowledges the importance of a division of powers in public authority. He views the estates assemblies, which safeguard freedom, as essentially related to the monarch. The monarchy is the central supporting element in the constitutional structure because the monarch is invested with the sovereignty of the state. Hegel stresses the role of civil servants and members of the professions, both in ministerial positions and in the assemblies. The power of the monarch is not despotic, as they exercise authority through universal laws and statutes and are advised and assisted by a ministry and civil service.
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Constitutional monarchy is also known as limited monarchy, parliamentary monarchy, or democratic monarchy
Constitutional monarchy, also known as limited monarchy, parliamentary monarchy, or democratic monarchy, is a system of government in which a monarch's power is limited by a constitution. The monarch may be the de facto head of state or a ceremonial leader, but they are not the sole decision-maker and must exercise their authority in accordance with a constitution. This form of monarchy differs from absolute monarchies, where the monarch holds absolute power and makes all decisions.
In a constitutional monarchy, the constitution allocates the government's powers to the legislature and judiciary, with the monarch often holding a symbolic role. The monarch may be an emperor, king, queen, prince, or grand duke, and they typically perform representative and civic roles without executive or policy-making power. However, the extent of the monarch's power can vary between countries. For example, in Liechtenstein and Monaco, the ruling monarchs hold significant executive power, while in other countries, such as the United Kingdom and Australia, the monarch's power is more limited, and these countries have been referred to as "crowned republics".
The concept of constitutional monarchy is not new, with the oldest example dating back to the ancient Hittites, whose king shared authority with an assembly. Poland developed the first constitution for a monarchy in continental Europe in 1791, and constitutional monarchy also briefly occurred during the early years of the French Revolution. Napoleon Bonaparte, who came to power after the revolution, is considered the first monarch to proclaim himself as an embodiment of the nation rather than a divinely appointed ruler, which is a key characteristic of continental constitutional monarchies.
Modern constitutional monarchies can be classified as either executive or ceremonial. In executive monarchies (also known as semi-constitutional monarchies), the monarch wields significant, though not absolute, power and is a powerful political and social institution. In contrast, ceremonial monarchies have a monarch with little to no actual power or direct political influence, although they may still have considerable social and cultural influence. Examples of countries with constitutional monarchies include the United Kingdom, Canada, Belgium, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Japan, and Thailand.
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Constitutional monarchies differ from absolute monarchies as the monarch's powers are limited by a legal framework
Constitutional monarchy, also known as limited monarchy, parliamentary monarchy, or democratic monarchy, is a form of monarchy in which the monarch's powers are limited by a legal framework. The monarch in a constitutional monarchy shares power with an elected parliament and is not the sole decision-maker. They mainly perform representative and civic roles, while their authority is derived from and bound by a constitution. This is in contrast to absolute monarchies, where the monarch holds supreme power and rules as a dictator, unbound by any legal framework.
In a constitutional monarchy, the monarch is typically a hereditary symbolic head of state, such as an emperor, king, queen, prince, or grand duke. While they may retain certain powers and privileges, they generally do not exercise executive or policy-making power. The extent of the monarch's power can vary depending on the country. For example, in Liechtenstein and Monaco, the ruling monarchs wield significant executive power, while in the United Kingdom, the monarch's role is more ceremonial, and they rarely intervene in political matters.
The concept of constitutional monarchy has evolved over time, with countries transitioning from absolute monarchy to constitutional monarchy at different points in history. For instance, the Grand Duchy of Finland was a constitutional monarchy under Alexander I, who was also an absolute ruler in Russia. France transitioned from absolute monarchy to constitutional monarchy with the French Constitution of 1791, which was short-lived as the monarchy was overthrown in 1792. Similarly, Hawaii moved from being an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy in 1840 when King Kamehameha III promulgated the kingdom's first constitution.
The German philosopher Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel provided a philosophical justification for the concept of constitutional monarchy in his work "Elements of the Philosophy of Right" (1820). He concurred with evolving contemporary political theory and the Protestant Christian view of natural law.
Some people argue that a constitutional monarchy is the best form of government, as it provides a balance between the power of the parliament and the royal prerogative. It allows for the modernization of the country while preserving the influence of the royal family. However, others prefer an absolute monarchy, believing that a benevolent absolute monarch is ideal, and that parliament and aristocracy can lead to corruption.
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Constitutional monarchies are hereditary symbolic heads of state who perform civic and representative roles
A constitutional monarchy, also known as a limited monarchy, parliamentary monarchy, or democratic monarchy, is a system of government where the monarch's authority is restricted by a constitution and various established legal frameworks. The monarch in this system is a hereditary symbolic head of state, typically holding titles such as emperor, king, queen, prince, or duke, and their role is primarily focused on civic and representative functions. They do not hold executive or policymaking powers.
Constitutional monarchies stand in contrast to absolute monarchies, where the monarch is the sole decision-maker and wields power without the same legal constraints. In a constitutional monarchy, the monarch's powers are limited, and they share decision-making responsibilities with a democratically elected body, such as a parliament or assembly. This system allows for the monarch to embody and represent the nation while the government is carried out by elected representatives.
The role of the constitutional monarch is often ceremonial and symbolic, acting as a visible symbol of national unity. While their direct political powers may be limited, they can still hold formal powers, such as dissolving parliament or providing royal assent to legislation. These powers are typically exercised within the constraints of constitutional principles or conventions rather than personal political preferences. For example, in Liechtenstein and Monaco, the ruling monarchs possess significant executive power, but their authority is still limited by the constitution and elected parliament, making these countries liberal democracies rather than undemocratic.
The concept of constitutional monarchy has been present in various countries at different points in history, including India, Pahlavi Iran, Italy, the Kingdom of Laos, Malta, and many current Commonwealth realms, such as the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. The specific powers and discretion granted to the monarch can vary across these nations, with some constitutions granting more substantial discretionary powers to the sovereign than others.
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Examples of constitutional monarchies include the United Kingdom, Norway, Japan, and Bhutan
While philosophers like Plato and his followers have argued in favour of a monarchy ruled by philosophers, also known as a philosopher king, there are several examples of constitutional monarchies in the world today. These include the United Kingdom, Norway, Japan, and Bhutan.
In a constitutional monarchy, the sovereign's role is restricted by constitutional rules, and they are not involved in partisan politics. The United Kingdom is an example of a country with a constitutional monarchy, where the monarch's duties are mainly representative and ceremonial. The monarch's role in the UK is to preserve their political neutrality and their powers are largely residual.
Norway is another constitutional monarchy, where the King is the formal head of state but has limited powers. The legislative and executive powers lie with the country's elected bodies.
Japan is a constitutional monarchy with a unique history. After World War II, the country's constitution was written by American civilian officials during the occupation, and it came into effect on May 3, 1947. The Emperor's role is ceremonial and the constitution explicitly limits their duties to matters of state delineated in the constitution.
Bhutan, a small landlocked country in South Asia, has also developed into a constitutional monarchy with a democratic electoral system. The process of modernization and democratization in Bhutan began in the 1950s with legal reforms such as the abolition of slavery, and culminated in the enactment of its Constitution in 2008. Bhutan has since held democratic elections for both houses of Parliament and three levels of local government.
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Frequently asked questions
German philosopher Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel supported constitutional monarchy in his work "Elements of the Philosophy of Right" (1820). British-American libertarian writer Matthew Feeney and socialist writer George Orwell also argue that constitutional monarchy is effective at preventing the development of extreme politics and fascism.
Constitutional monarchy, also known as limited monarchy, parliamentary monarchy, or democratic monarchy, is a form of monarchy in which the monarch exercises their authority in accordance with a constitution and is not the sole decision-maker. The monarch in a constitutional monarchy performs representative and civic roles but does not exercise executive or policymaking power.
Examples of constitutional monarchies include the United Kingdom, Netherlands, Spain, Belgium, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Japan, and Thailand.
Supporters of constitutional monarchy argue that it strengthens popular liberty and provides a check on the wills of populist politicians by representing entrenched customs and traditions. Constitutional monarchies have also been shown to avoid extreme politics, such as fascism, communism, and military dictatorship.
