Who Really Holds Power In A Constitutional Monarchy?

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 purely ceremonial leader, and their powers are limited by a constitution, which also places the law-making power in the legislature. While the monarch may hold formal authority and the government may legally operate in the monarch's name, the monarch does not personally set public policy or choose political leaders. The monarch acts as a visible symbol of national unity and may hold formal powers such as dissolving parliament or giving royal assent to legislation.

Explore related products

The Monarchy and the Constitution

$78 $78

On Power

$18.35 $26.99

Essays: Moral, Political, and Literary

$11.82 $14.5

The History of Constitutional Monarchy in England (1689 to 1837): William and Mary to William IV

$0.99

Roots of the First American Republic 1745-1775

$5 $10

The Difference Between an Absolute and Limited Monarchy, as It More Particularly Regards the English Constitution; Being a Treatise

$25.95

The role of the monarch

A constitutional 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 acts as a non-party political ceremonial head of state under the constitution, whether codified or uncodified. While the monarch may hold formal authority and the government may operate in the monarch's name, the monarch does not personally set public policy or choose political leaders.

The monarch has a regular audience with the Prime Minister and receives daily boxes of state papers for their signature and information. The monarch also has regular meetings with other senior officials. To the public, the monarch is visible as the head of the nation, acting as a focus for national identity, unity, and pride. They give a sense of stability and continuity, officially recognize success and excellence, and support the ideal of voluntary service. This role is often fulfilled through speeches, such as the King's annual broadcast on Christmas Day, giving honours, and visiting the armed forces, schools, hospitals, charities, and local organizations.

Constitutional monarchies differ from absolute monarchies, in which the monarch is the sole decision-maker and has full autocratic powers. In a constitutional monarchy, the monarch's powers are limited and prescribed by an established legal framework. Some constitutional monarchies, such as Malaysia and Cambodia, are elective monarchies, where the ruler is selected by a small electoral college. In some countries, such as Morocco, Qatar, and Thailand, the hereditary monarch has more political influence than any other source of authority in the state.

The role of the government

A constitutional monarchy is a system of government in which a monarch shares power with a constitutionally organized government. The monarch acts as a non-party political ceremonial head of state under the constitution, whether codified or uncodified. The government may legally operate in the monarch's name, but the monarch does not personally set public policy or choose political leaders.

In a constitutional monarchy, the monarch's role is limited to constitutional and representative duties. While the monarch may hold formal authority and perform civic roles, they do not exercise executive or policy-making power. The constitution grants the government law-making power and places limits on the monarch's authority. The monarch acts as a visible symbol of national unity and may hold certain formal powers, such as dissolving parliament or giving royal assent to legislation. However, such powers are typically exercised in accordance with constitutional principles rather than personal political preferences.

The British Monarchy, for example, is a constitutional monarchy, with the Sovereign as Head of State. While the Sovereign undertakes constitutional and representative duties, the ability to make and pass legislation resides with the elected Parliament. The monarch has a ceremonial role and continues to play an important part in the life of the nation, acting as a focus for national identity, unity, and pride.

In some nations, such as Morocco, Qatar, and Thailand, the hereditary monarch has more political influence than any other single source of authority in the state, even if it is by a constitutional mandate. These are known as semi-constitutional monarchies, where the monarch retains substantial powers on par with a president in a presidential or semi-presidential system.

Constitutional monarchies differ from absolute monarchies, where the monarch is the sole decision-maker and has full autocratic power. In a constitutional monarchy, the monarch's power is limited by the constitution, and they share decision-making power with a constitutionally organized government.

The role of the legislature

In a constitutional monarchy, the legislature holds the most political power. The legislature is the body that makes the laws and advises the monarch. The role of the legislature in a constitutional monarchy is to exercise political sovereignty on behalf of the electorate. It is responsible for creating and passing laws, as well as overseeing the implementation and enforcement of those laws.

The legislature is typically composed of elected representatives, such as members of a parliament or a congress. These representatives are responsible for debating, amending, and voting on proposed legislation. They also have the power to approve or reject the monarch's choices for political leaders, such as prime ministers or cabinets. For example, in the United Kingdom, the real power is held in Parliament, which is composed of the House of Lords and the House of Commons acting together as the King-in-Parliament.

In some constitutional monarchies, the legislature may also have oversight over the monarch's actions. For example, the legislature may have the power to remove the monarch from power if they are deemed unfit to rule. The legislature may also have the power to amend the constitution, which can further limit the monarch's power.

The specific powers and responsibilities of the legislature can vary depending on the country and the specific constitutional framework in place. However, in general, the legislature serves as a check on the monarch's power and ensures that the government is accountable to the people.

In addition to the legislature, there are other institutions that play a role in balancing the power of the monarch. For example, in some constitutional monarchies, there may be a separate head of government, such as a prime minister, who is responsible for the day-to-day governance of the country. The judiciary is also important, as it interprets the laws and ensures that the actions of both the legislature and the monarch are in line with the constitution.

Explore related products

The Fall of Republics: A History from Ancient Carthage to the American Constitution

$19.25 $35

Limited Monarchy: Or, Ruling Self

$29.95

Legitimacy and Power Politics: The American and French Revolutions in International Political Culture (Princeton Studies in International History and Politics Book 120)

$41.78 $47

Citizen Marx: Republicanism and the Formation of Karl Marx’s Social and Political Thought

$27.19 $39.95

Monarchy in the Age of Liberty: Royal power and public life in eighteenth-century Sweden (Lund University Press)

$36.95

The Role of the Executive, Legislative, Judiciary, and Constitutional Monarchy in Governing Malaysia: Keynote Address by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Fourth ... Malaysia (Perdana Discourse Series Book 9)

$0.99

The role of the judiciary

In a constitutional monarchy, the judiciary is considered a separate branch of government, although the executive, judiciary, police, or armed forces may act under the authority of the Crown. The Constitutional Reform Act of 2005 established the Lord Chief Justice as the head of the judiciary, marking a formal separation between the judiciary and the executive.

The judiciary's independence allows it to examine the scope of the royal prerogative powers, which are now primarily exercised by ministers rather than the Crown. The royal prerogative is one of the three distinguishing factors of a constitutional monarchy, granting the monarch the ability to exercise power in very limited circumstances. The other two factors are sovereign immunity, which holds the government accountable instead of the monarch, and the monarch's immunity from certain taxation or property use restrictions.

While the monarch is the titular head of state, the government is typically carried out by a cabinet of predominantly elected Members of Parliament. The monarch's role is largely ceremonial and symbolic, and they are expected to act on the advice of the government. The monarch's main functions include appointing the Prime Minister and ministers, opening new sessions of parliament, and giving royal assent to bills passed by parliament.

In some constitutional monarchies, such as Morocco, Qatar, Liechtenstein, and Thailand, the hereditary monarch wields more political influence than any other authority in the state, even if constrained by a constitutional mandate. In Thailand, for example, the monarch is recognized as the Head of State, Head of the Armed Forces, Upholder of the Buddhist Religion, and Defender of the Faith, and plays an influential role in politics.

The role of the head of state

In a constitutional monarchy, the monarch acts as a non-party political ceremonial head of state under the constitution. While the monarch may hold formal authority and the government may operate in their name, the monarch does not personally set public policy or choose political leaders. Political scientist Vernon Bogdanor defines a constitutional monarch as "A sovereign who reigns but does not rule".

As the head of state, the monarch has several functions and duties. They appoint the Prime Minister and other ministers, open new sessions of parliament, and give royal assent to bills passed by parliament, signifying that they have become law. The monarch also chairs meetings of the Privy Council, receives ambassadors, and makes appointments such as senior judges, acting on the advice of the government. The monarch has regular meetings with senior officials and plays a role in recognising success and excellence, supporting voluntary service, and fostering national identity and unity.

While the monarch in a constitutional monarchy may have certain powers and duties, they do not have a political or executive role in governing. The ability to make and pass legislation resides with an elected parliament. The monarch is constitutionally obliged to follow the government's advice and does not exercise executive or policy-making power. This is in contrast to absolute monarchies, where the monarch is the sole decision-maker and has autocratic powers.

It is worth noting that the extent of the monarch's authority can vary within constitutional monarchies. Some constitutional monarchies, like Morocco, Qatar, and Thailand, have more political influence than others. Additionally, the concept of a semi-constitutional monarchy refers to monarchies where the monarch retains substantial powers, similar to a president in a presidential or semi-presidential system.

Frequently asked questions