Difference between revisions of "Constitutional monarchy"
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| − | A '''constitutional [[monarchy]]''' is a [[government]] with a constitution which acknowledges a monarch as head of state with varying degrees of influence in the running of the country. | + | [[File:QueenElizabethII 2003.jpg|thumbnail|right|250px|[[Queen Elizabeth II]] ]] |
| + | A '''constitutional [[monarchy]]''', sometimes colloquially known as a '''crowned republic''', is a [[government]] with a [[constitution]] which acknowledges a [[monarch]] as [[head of state]] with varying degrees of influence in the running of the country. Countries with constitutional monarchies include the [[United Kingdom]], [[Canada]], [[New Zealand]], [[Australia]], [[Papua New Guinea]], [[Denmark]], [[Sweden]], [[Norway]], [[Belgium]], the [[Netherlands]] and [[Spain]]. A monarchy can be a good form of government, as measured by the betterment of the people during a monarch's reign. The UK has had some benevolent monarchs who wielded great power, such as [[Queen Victoria]], who is considered one of the most outstanding monarchs in history. Though, in general, to fit all possible monarchs, experience has shown that a constitution needs be carefully written. | ||
| − | + | A monarch is a head of state, but the amount of power a head of state holds can vary.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=monarchy|work=Dictionary.com|title=monarchy|language=English|accessdate=2007-08-21}}</ref> The United Kingdom's approach to government has the reigning monarch publicly represent the UK. The day-to-day work of keeping government in place and working is handled by other constitutionally directed [[organization]]s. The UK monarchy is granted little power beyond publicly representing the UK. The monarchy, for example, could not make an independent decision as to which party in a law case was guilty and decree the guilty party. The UK constitution limits the power of the UK monarchy. There is good reason for this kind of approach because some past monarchs (not exclusively in the UK) have misused their vested powers and, over time, constitutions have been written. A constitutional monarchy's position is subject to and constrained by the country's constitution. The left-liberal [[New York Times]] is of the opinion that a monarchy is a great form of government.<ref>[https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/01/08/nyt-countries-monarchies-better-stable-richer-unified/ NYT: Countries With Monarchies Better, More Stable, Richer, and Unified]</ref> | |
| − | + | Presently, the country of [[Qatar]] is considered by many to be ruled by a benevolent monarch, though his title, in keeping with the [[Arabic]] language, is Emirate. [[Saudi Arabia]] is also a governed by a monarchy, though not a constitutional one.<ref>[http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/index.html CIA Factbook]</ref> [[Canada]] is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system. | |
| − | + | ==Crowned republic== | |
| + | The term "crowned republic" is sometimes used synonymously with constitutional monarchy. | ||
| + | ==See also== | ||
| + | * [[Absolute monarchy]] | ||
| + | * [[Aristocracy]] | ||
| + | * [[Oligarchy]] | ||
| + | * [[Elitism]] | ||
| − | + | ==References== | |
| − | + | {{reflist|1}} | |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | [[Category:Forms of Government]] | |
| − | + | [[Category:International Political Terms]] | |
| − | [[ | + | [[Category:Political Ideologies]] |
Latest revision as of 19:36, September 10, 2026
A constitutional monarchy, sometimes colloquially known as a crowned republic, is a government with a constitution which acknowledges a monarch as head of state with varying degrees of influence in the running of the country. Countries with constitutional monarchies include the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Papua New Guinea, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Belgium, the Netherlands and Spain. A monarchy can be a good form of government, as measured by the betterment of the people during a monarch's reign. The UK has had some benevolent monarchs who wielded great power, such as Queen Victoria, who is considered one of the most outstanding monarchs in history. Though, in general, to fit all possible monarchs, experience has shown that a constitution needs be carefully written.
A monarch is a head of state, but the amount of power a head of state holds can vary.[1] The United Kingdom's approach to government has the reigning monarch publicly represent the UK. The day-to-day work of keeping government in place and working is handled by other constitutionally directed organizations. The UK monarchy is granted little power beyond publicly representing the UK. The monarchy, for example, could not make an independent decision as to which party in a law case was guilty and decree the guilty party. The UK constitution limits the power of the UK monarchy. There is good reason for this kind of approach because some past monarchs (not exclusively in the UK) have misused their vested powers and, over time, constitutions have been written. A constitutional monarchy's position is subject to and constrained by the country's constitution. The left-liberal New York Times is of the opinion that a monarchy is a great form of government.[2]
Presently, the country of Qatar is considered by many to be ruled by a benevolent monarch, though his title, in keeping with the Arabic language, is Emirate. Saudi Arabia is also a governed by a monarchy, though not a constitutional one.[3] Canada is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system.
Crowned republic
The term "crowned republic" is sometimes used synonymously with constitutional monarchy.
See also
References
- ↑ monarchy (English). Dictionary.com. Retrieved on 2007-08-21.
- ↑ NYT: Countries With Monarchies Better, More Stable, Richer, and Unified
- ↑ CIA Factbook