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| | + | [[Image:Louis_XIV_of_France.jpg|300px|thumb|right|A portrayal of [[Louis XIV of France|Louis XIV]], [[King of France]].]] |
| | + | A '''monarchy''' is a [[form of government]] in which supreme power is absolutely or nominally lodged in an individual, who is the [[head of state]], often for [[Life tenure|life]] or until [[abdication]]. The head of a monarchy is called a '''monarch'''. It was a common form of government across the world during the [[Ancient world|ancient]] and [[Middle Ages|medieval]] times. |
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| − | {{Forms of government}}
| + | Although monarchy is a system of government with a single sovereign, monarchy took several forms and had varied characteristics, depending on culture and circumstances. Legitimation, levels of authority, exercise of power, role and responsibilities, and succession were determined more by the historical age and native culture than by the desires and preferences of the ruler. As civilization advanced, noblemen, elected representatives, foreign influences and the satisfaction of the ruled subjects had tremendous influence over the shape and character of the institution, although reigning monarchs were still considered absolute authorities. |
| − | A Monarchy, from the [[Greek language|Greek]] ''μονος'', "one," and ''[[Archon|αρχειν]]'', "to rule," is a [[form of government]] in which a monarch, usually a single person, is the [[head of state]].
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| − | In most monarchies, the monarch holds control and their position for life (in a few republics, the head of state, often styled [[president]], might remain in office for life, but most are [[Election|elected]] for a term of office, after which he or she must step down). There are currently 31 monarchs reigning over 45 extant sovereign monarchies in the world; the disconnect in numbers between monarchs and countries is explained by the fact that the sixteen [[Commonwealth realms]] - vast geographic areas including the trans-continental realms of [[Canada]] and [[Australia]] - are separately debated over in [[personal union]] by one Sovereign, and one other monarchy, [[Andorra]], by two non-resident foreign (French and Spanish) co-monarchs.
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| − | The term monarchy is also used to refer to the [[people]] (especially the [[dynasty]], also known as [[royalty]]) and institutions that make up the royal or imperial establishment, or to the [[realm]] over which the monarch reigns. Monarchs serve as [[symbols]] of [[continuity]] and [[statehood]]. Today, the extent of a monarch's actual powers varies from monarchy to monarchy. In constitutional monarchies, wherein [[sovereignty]] rests formally with the crown but politically with 'the people' (usually the electorate, as represented by a parliament), the monarch now usually serves largely ceremonial functions, except in times of crisis. Many monarchies are constituted by tradition or by [[codified law]], so that the monarch has little real [[political power]]; in others the monarch holds some power but is limited from exercising it by popular or precedential opinion; in still others the monarch holds substantial power and may exercise it without limit.
| + | Monarchs were a civil counterpart to religious leaders, whether [[priest]], [[shaman]], [[sorcerer]] or [[prophet]]. This division of authority over the two major spheres of life sometimes created tension between the respective offices that resulted in conflict. When the two were in harmony, their unity built a strong base for the populace and the state was generally prosperous. |
| | + | {{toc}} |
| | + | In the modern era the role of most monarchs is largely ceremonial. Although the monarch is still the head of state and the emblem of state authority, power has devolved to another office, such as a [[parliament]]. Several exceptions to this exist, particularly in the [[Middle East]]. |
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| − | Monarchy is one of the oldest forms of government, with echoes in the leadership of [[tribe|tribal chiefs]]. Many monarchs once claimed to rule by [[Divine Right of Kings|divine right]], or at least by divine grace, ruling either by the will of the god(s) or even claiming to be (incarnated) gods themselves; cfr. [[theocracy]]. Monarchs have also been selected by [[election]] (either in a broad popular assembly, as in Germanic tribal states; or by a small body, such as in the [[Holy Roman Empire]]; or by [[succession|dynastic succession]]; or by [[Right of conquest|conquest]] as in Malaysia and the UAE; or a combination of any number of ways). In some early systems the monarch was overthrown or sacrificed when it became apparent that [[Mandate of Heaven|divine sanction]] had been withdrawn.
| + | == Etymology == |
| | + | The word '''''monarch''''' ({{lang-la|monarcha}}) comes from the [[Greek language|Greek]] ''μονάρχης'' (from ''μόνος'', "one/singular," and ''ἀρχων'', "leader/ruler/chief") which referred to a single, at least nominally absolute ruler, one who "is wholly set apart from all other members of the [[state]]."<ref name="Bouvier">John Bouvier and Francis Rawle. ''[http://books.google.com/books?id=lWs8AAAAIAAJ Bouvier's Law Dictionary and Concise Encyclopedia]''. (1914). ISBN 978-0899413358), 2237-2238. Retrieved February 19, 2009.</ref> |
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| − | [[Image:World Monarchies.png|200px|thumb|right|{{legend|#007f00|[[Constitutional monarchy]]}} | + | == Titles == |
| − | {{legend|#00ff00|[[Commonwealth realm]]|border=#0d0}}
| + | Monarchs have various [[title]]s, including [[king]] or [[queen]], [[prince]] or [[princess]] ([[Sovereign Prince of Monaco]]), [[emperor]] or [[empress]] ([[Emperor of Japan]], [[Emperor of India]]), or even [[duke]] or [[grand duke]] ([[Grand Duke of Luxembourg]]) or duchess. Many monarchs also are distinguished by [[Style (manner of address)|styles]], such as "[[Royal Highness]]" or "[[By the Grace of God]]." Many monarchs have been styled ''[[Fidei defensor]]'' (Defender of the Faith); some hold official positions relating to the [[state religion]] or established church. Female monarchs typically have the title “queen regnant,” while a “queen consort” may refer to the wife of a reigning king. A [[regent]] may rule when the monarch is a [[Minor (law)|minor]], absent, or debilitated. Sometimes titles are used to express claims to territories that are not held in fact (for example, [[English claims to the French throne]]) or titles not recognized of ([[antipope]]s). A [[pretender]] is a claimant to an abolished throne or to a throne already occupied by someone else. |
| − | {{legend|#ff7f40|[[Absolute monarchy|Semi-]][[Constitutional monarchy]]}}
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| − | {{legend|#ff0000|[[Absolute monarchy]]}}
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| − | {{legend|#ff00ff|Monarchy in some sub-state level entities}}]]
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| − | Since 1800, most of the world's monarchies have been abolished by dismemberment or annexation, or have been transformed into republics; most current countries that are monarchies are [[constitutional monarchy|constitutional ones]]. Among the few states that retain a rather [[absolute monarchy]] are [[Bhutan]], [[Brunei]], [[Oman]], [[Qatar]], [[Saudi Arabia]], [[Swaziland]] and the [[Vatican City]] (the papal city-state, an electoral [[theocracy]]). In [[Jordan]] and [[Morocco]], the monarch also retains considerable power. There are also recent (2003) developments in [[Liechtenstein]], wherein the regnant [[prince]] was given the constitutional power to dismiss the government at will. [[Nepal]] had several swings between constitutional rule and [[direct rule]] related to the [[Maoist]] rebel movement and killings by a suicidal [[crown prince]].
| + | == Authority == |
| − | The oldest monarchy in the world is the Japanese monarchy.
| + | Historically, most monarchs were absolute rulers. However, holding unlimited [[political]] power in the state is not a defining characteristic of a monarchy, as some are [[Constitutional monarchy|constitutional monarchies]] (such as the United Kingdom and Thailand.) Monarchs also were heavily dependent on their nobleman, who were given honors and privilege within the state in exchange for loyalty and cooperation.<ref>Hillay Zmora. ''Monarchy, aristocracy and state in Europe.'' (Routledge. 2001. ISBN 978-0415150446).</ref> |
| | + | Hereditary rule is often a common characteristic, but not in [[Elective monarchies|elective monarchies]] (such as the pope, [[Sovereignty|sovereign]] of the [[Vatican City|Vatican City State]]). |
| | + | Most states only have a single monarch at any given time, although two monarchs have ruled simultaneously in some countries (diarchy), as in the ancient Greek city-state of [[Sparta]], and there are examples of joint sovereignty of spouses or relatives (such as [[William and Mary]] in the Kingdoms of [[England]] and [[Scotland]]).<ref>Other examples of joint sovereignty include [[Tsar]]s [[Peter I of Russia|Peter I]] and [[Ivan V of Russia|Ivan V]] of [[Russian Empire|Russia]] and [[Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor]] and [[Joanna of Castile]] of the [[Crown of Castile]]. A current example of constitutional diarchy is [[Andorra]].</ref> In a [[personal union]], the same person serves as monarch of separate independent states. |
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| − | ==Types of Monarchy== | + | {| align="center" style="background:transparent;" |
| − | In an [[absolute monarchy]], the monarch has absolute power over every aspect of the state, if not of social life in general, and has the power to grant or withdraw a [[constitution]]; a constitutional monarch is subject to the constitution like other citizens, though in some cases he has certain constitutional privileges such as [[inviolability]].
| + | | [[Image:World Monarchies.png|thumb|600px|<!-- |
| − | | + | —>{{legend|#ff0000|[[Absolute monarchy]]}}<!-- |
| − | An [[elected monarchy]] was popular in various states of Northern Europe even up until the Middle Ages. When [[Charlemagne]] was a child, his father was elected King of the [[Franks]]. [[Stanisław August Poniatowski|Stanislaw]] of Poland was an elected king, as was [[Frederick I of Denmark]]. The tradition of an elected monarchy is very ancient and still exists today in the office of the [[Pope]].
| + | —>{{legend|#ff7f40|Semi-constitutional monarchy}}<!-- |
| − | | + | —>{{legend|#007f00|[[Constitutional monarchy]]}}<!-- |
| − | In [[ancient history|Antiquity]], there were various traditions of elected monarchs of various titles, usually rendered as king, especially in not fully sedentary societies such as the Germanic tribes (before they established a sedentary kingdom in territories of the former Roman empire). Often there was a mix of conflicting principles and interests, the ruling house tending to reserve succession for itself, with the nobility rivaling it. Actual succession often depended on popular assent and/or the support of the armed forces, which could take their role of king-maker as far as deposing an incompetent or 'criminal' ruler- or even pure mutiny to seize the throne. The Hellenistic kings of [[Macedon]] and of [[Epirus (region)|Epirus]] were elected by the army (a body that was very close in composition to the ''[[ecclesia]]'' of [[democracies]], the council of all free citizens; military service was often linked with citizenship) among the male member of the [[royal house]]. In Macedon this tradition continued until the kingdom was dissolved by the Romans after the [[Third Macedonian War]].
| + | —>{{legend|#00ff00|States in [[personal union]] with a constitutional monarch, such as many [[Commonwealth realm]]s|border=#0d0}}<!-- |
| − | | + | —>{{legend|#ff00ff|Subnational monarchies (partial)}} |
| − | Most of today's [[hereditary monarchy|hereditary monarchs]] serve as living [[national symbols]] of their [[nation-state]]. Most constitutional monarchs retain [[reserve powers]], and other constitutionally defined roles and responsibilities. Many are also [[constitutional monarchy|constitutional monarchs]] who can dissolve parliament and call for new elections (usually at the request of the prime minister). Though the latter may technically still propose legislation, the conventions of constitutional monarchy disallow them from doing so, as well as from wielding power in the unlimited manner of ancient monarchies, unless in the face of a constitutional, governmental, or some other crisis.
| + | ]] |
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| − | In some ancient hereditary monarchies, power often resided with the [[military]], as often has been the case in [[Thailand]] and [[Japan]] (where its eventually hereditary military chief, the [[Shogun]], developed into a ''de facto'' monarch, nominally under the Emperor), with an (at least) nominally 'prime ministerial' office (separate [[Head of government]]), which may tend to become hereditary itself, in the Hindu kingdom of [[Nepal]] even formally styled a hereditary [[Maharajah]]. In [[Fascist]] [[Italy]] a monarchy coexisted with a fascist party for longer than such co-existences occurred in [[Romania]] or [[Greece]]. [[Spain]] under [[Francisco Franco]] was officially a monarchy, even though there was no monarch on the throne; upon his death, Franco was succeeded as Head of state by the [[House of Bourbon|Bourbon]] heir to the throne, [[Juan Carlos I of Spain|King Juan Carlos I]]. | + | == Absolute monarchy == |
| | + | In an absolute monarchy, the monarch rules as an [[Autocracy|autocrat]], with absolute power over the state and government—for example, the right to [[rule by decree]], promulgate [[law]]s, and impose [[punishment]]s. Absolute monarchies are not necessarily [[Authoritarianism|authoritarian]]; the [[Enlightened absolutism|enlightened absolutists]] of the [[Enlightenment]] were monarchs who allowed various freedoms. |
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| − | There have also been situations in which a [[dictator]] proclaimed himself monarch of a previous republic, thus starting a [[self-proclaimed monarchy]] with no historical ties to a previous dynasty. The most famous example of this was general [[Napoleon I of France|Napoleon I Bonaparte]], who crowned himself first Emperor of the French after legally assuming political control of the French Republic (which in his lifetime has succeeded to the absolutist kingdom) as [[First Consul]] for life; a blatant operetta-imitation of his empire was that of dictator [[Bokassa I]] in the very poor [[Central African Empire]]. Also, [[Yuan Shikai]] crowned himself Emperor of the short-lived "[[Empire of China (1915–1916)|Empire of China]]," a few years after the [[Republic of China]] was founded.
| + | Monarchy, especially absolute monarchy, sometimes is linked to [[Religion|religious]] aspects; many monarchs once claimed the right to rule by the will of a [[deity]] ([[Divine Right of Kings]], [[Mandate of Heaven]]), a special connection to a deity ([[sacred king]]) or even purported to be [[incarnation]]s of deities themselves ([[imperial cult]], [[divine king]]). |
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| − | On several occasions throughout history, the same person has served as monarch of separate independent states, in a situation known as a [[personal union]]. An [[empire]] was traditionally ruled by a monarchy whose leader may have been known by different, traditional or self-assumed titles in his different realms. Several former [[colonialism|colonies]] of the [[British Empire]], such as [[Australia]], [[Canada]], [[Jamaica]], [[New Zealand]] etc., are now independent [[realm]]s, which, along with the United Kingdom, continue to recognize one person as their respective sovereign head of state, with a distinctive title in each nation (King/Queen of Canada, Jamaica and so forth); these countries, including the UK, are known as [[Commonwealth Realms]]. In other cases, such as [[England]] and [[Scotland]], a personal union was the precursor to a merger of the states. Often a personal union between nation states ends in complete separation, e.g. [[Norway]], first in union with [[Denmark–Norway|Denmark]] and later with [[Sweden]], then finally opting for its own monarchy again.
| + | ===Monarchs and divinity=== |
| − | Similar to that after 816 years of personal union with [[Lands of the Crown of St. Stephen|Hungary]], [[Croatia]] had in 1918 opted for separation and entry into the [[kingdom of Yugoslavia]].
| + | Early monarchs were the embodiment of community power, ruled by strength and cultivated mystique and loyalty from their subjects. Superhuman and even magical powers were often attributed to them and propaganda was a common technique for instilling obedience. As communities and states expanded in size, monarchs power grew while their public interaction became more distant, enhancing their status. |
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| − | Some republics can be called 'virtual monarchies' as they appear to have introduced ''de facto'' inheritance for the Head of state, usually establishing a 'dynasty' by making his son (informally) designated heir, without constitutionally declaring themselves monarchies. These nations may be republics in theory, but dynastic monarchies in practice. The '[[Roman Empire]]' in Latin existed only in the territorial sense, legally it was always a republic, theoretically the [[Principate]] was not hereditary monarchy, and even the [[Byzantine Empire]] had republican features. In the twentieth century, de facto monarchies existed in [[Nicaragua]] and [[Haiti]]. Today, formal constitutional republics like [[North Korea]] (communist single-party state) and [[Syria]] have been called de facto monarchies; however, one father-son succession without a constitutional mechanism is more an appearance than an actual de facto monarchy, the next succession may just as well be determined otherwise by the real king makers (a dead dictator ceases to dictate) and democratic republics too have produced de facto successions -albeit often not along strict lines such as primogeniture- and even three or more generation 'dynasties' (as India's [[Gandhi]] family), except that these only rule when their party is in power. See also [[family dictatorship]].
| + | As religion and [[mysticism]] formalized, peoples throughout the world made claims to divinity, which were co-oped by their leaders. The [[Incas]] claimed to be "children of the Sun", Jewish teaching was that they were the chosen people of God, Europeans monarchs claimed their sovereignty from the Christian [[Bible]], and Asian monarchs ruled with absolute authority, some claiming divinity. From these roots, the claim by monarchs to be gods or descendants or representatives of God was readily accepted by their subjects.<ref>J.G. Frazer. (1900) ''The Golden Bough, A study in magic and religion.'' (Oxford University Press. 1998. ISBN 978-0192835413) </ref> |
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| − | Although in theory a monarch is the sovereign ruler of a state, historical developments often produced more complicated realities: when a state loses its true sovereignty, while internally retaining its monarchic constitution, its monarchy will often become similarly dependent on the greater power, e.g. as a feudal [[vassal]] under a suzerain, or in the colonial era become redefined as an actor in [[indirect rule]], under a [[paramount power]] (such as each [[princely state]] in the [[British raj]]). Successions in such dependent states were often subject to the assent of the dominant power, which then often reserved the right to dethrone (and replace) a 'disloyal' incumbent.
| + | Originating in Europe in the [[Middle Ages]], a theory of the divine-right of kings can be traced to the [[medieval]] conception of God’s award of temporal power to the political ruler, paralleling the award of spiritual power to the church. The theory of the [[Divine Right of Kings]] aimed at instilling obedience by explaining why all social ranks were religiously and morally obliged to obey their government. |
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| − | ==Succession==
| + | The main tenants of Divine Right includes: |
| − | The rules for selection of monarchs varies from country to country. In constitutional monarchies the rule of succession is generally embodied in a law passed by a representative body, such as a [[parliament]]. | + | * Monarchy is a divinely ordained institution |
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| − | [[Elective monarchy|Elective monarchies]], distinguished by the monarchs being appointed for life, have in most cases been succeeded by hereditary monarchies, but both secular sovereign nation cases at present - those of [[Malaysia]] and the [[United Arab Emirates]] - are 20th-century creations. In the hereditary system, the position of monarch involves inheritance according to an [[order of succession]], usually within one [[royal family]] tracing its origin back to a historical [[dynasty]] or bloodline. In some cases the ruling family may claim to hold authority by virtue of the associated god's choosing, as reflected in the style-phrase "[[by the Grace of God]]," or other religion-based authority.
| + | In every kingdom, the king's power comes directly from God, to whom the ruler is accountable; power does not come to the king from the people and he is not accountable to them. |
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| − | The [[order of succession]] in most European monarchical states of the [[21st century]] is by [[primogeniture]], meaning that either the eldest child of the monarch or the eldest son of the monarch is first in line. Currently, there is some controversy over the succession laws of some monarchies such as that of the [[United Kingdom]] (UK), [[Canada|Canadian]], or the [[Scandinavia]]n monarchies, which require their monarch to be of a certain faith (in the Commonwealth Realms under the [[Act of Settlement 1701]]). This has been challenged as violating [[European Union]] rules that prohibit [[religion|religious]] disqualification for positions of state authority, as well as a violation of the Canadian [[Charter of Rights and Freedoms]].
| + | * Hereditary right is indefeasible |
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| − | Historically, successions in dependent states could be subject to the assent of the (colonial or other) dominant power, which then often reserved the right to dethrone (and replace) a 'disloyal' incumbent.
| + | The succession is regulated by the law of [[primogeniture]]. While the legitimate heir to the crown is alive it is wrong to swear allegiance to any other ruler, even one actually in possession of power. |
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| − | ==Titles as Political Statements==
| + | * Kings are accountable to [[God]] alone |
| − | Official styles and titles of monarchs often reflect the ambitions and ideals of the governments they head or represent and actual historical ties or claims to territories no longer under their administration or even extinguished as political units.
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| − | Some titles are specifically designed to express a relative rank, usually higher if self-assumed, as in the case of [[King of Kings]] and various equivalents, or Tipu Sultan who assumed the rank [[Padshah Bahadur]] when declaring his new Muslim empire Khudadad independent from the [[Mughal]] Padshah, it has no other meaning then 'in rank above Padhsah'. Some monarchic titles suggest a unique exalted rank, even universal supremacy, such as the [[Caliph]], and yet there may be parallel dynasties, e.g. a branch of the [[Umayyad]] in Cordoba while the Oriental caliphate had been take over by the [[Abassids]] (in Baghdad). Other titles are perceived as carrying a protocolary rank, so granting (often as a reward for a loyal vassal) or assuming (as an assertion) a higher title can mean a 'promotion' regardless of political reality.
| + | The King is God's vicar, and his power cannot be limited. His sovereignty cannot be divided or limited in any way. |
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| − | Additional elements in the full style may refer to the legitimation of the throne, either directly as by a phrase like "[[by the Grace of God]]," or indirectly by referring to a legitimating function, such as protecting the official religion, e.g. for a Muslim ruler by the style [[Commander of the faithful]]. The Protestant Successors to [[Henry VIII]] of England have all retained the "[[Defender of the Faith]]" originally granted by the [[Pope Leo X|Pope]] to Henry VIII before the 'annulment crisis' led to the [[Anglican Schism]].
| + | * Non-resistance and passive obedience are enjoined by God |
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| − | Thus [[Queen Elizabeth II]] is "by the Grace of God, Queen" in fifteen of her sixteen realms, only [[Papua New Guinea]] omitting this phrase from her title there. During Spain's transition to a constitutional monarchy under [[Isabella II]], her Style was changed from the 'Long Form' which included "by the Grace of God" and some 20 states to "By divine grace and the constitution, queen of the Spains."
| + | However tyrannically kings act, they are never to be actively resisted.<ref>J. Neville Figgis. (1896) ''The Theory of the Divine Right of Kings.'' reprint ed. (Kessinger Publishing, LLC. 2007 ISBN 978-0548289013) </ref> |
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| − | The kings and queens of England and Great Britain retained the title King of France until the union with Ireland to form the United Kingdom in 1801, during the reign of [[King George III]]. The kings and queens of Spain retained a long list of kingdoms, that didn't include Spain until Isabella II in 1837. The Council of Ministers authorized in 1987 [[Juan Carlos I]], King of Spain, to also use "historical titles," presumably including the crusader relict [[King of Jerusalem]], which passed through several dynasties, none of which actually had any authority in the obliterated former realm.
| + | After the [[Glorious Revolution]] of 1688, the theory of the Divine Right of Kings lost almost all support in [[England]]. It was forcefully expounded in [[France]] by [[Jacques-Benigne Bossuet|Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet]] (1627-1704) and survived until rendered irrelevant there by [[Enlightenment]] and the [[French Revolution]]. |
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| − | ==Demise of monarchies==
| + | In [[China]], monarchs legitimized their rule by family connections to divine power. A philosophical concept concerning the legitimacy of rulers developed around 1045 B.C.E.. called [[The Mandate of Heaven]]. In this tradition, Heaven would bless the authority of a just ruler, but would be displeased with a despotic ruler and would withdraw their mandate. The Mandate of Heaven would then transfer to those who would rule best. |
| − | Monarchies can come to an end in several ways. There may be a [[revolution]] in which the monarchy is overthrown; or, as in [[Italy]], the electorate decides to form a republic by constitutional [[referendum]]. In some cases, as with [[England]] and [[Spain]], the monarchy has been overthrown and later restored. After the abdication of Napoleon I, which ended the [[First Empire]], the French restored the royal Bourbon dynasty which had been abolished by the republic within which Napoleon had established the Empire. At the same time, his emperorship was "revived" outside [[France]], as a "golden cage" principality was created for him on the island of [[Elba]], so in a sense the empire was succeeded by a kingdom and an emperor without an empire.
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| − | Dependent monarchies have been abolished by their dominant power, often for the purposes of being fully annexed, split or merged with another. In [[Uganda]], for example, local tribal monarchies were abolished when the country became a [[unitary state]].
| + | Manifestations of Mandate of Heaven |
| | + | * Anyone can become King |
| | + | * The power and authority of the King, or emperor, is appointed by Heaven |
| | + | * At the Temple of Heaven only Kings or emperors were allowed to perform the ritual of praying and offering to Heaven. |
| | + | * All mortals must obey the order of Heaven. |
| | + | * Since the mandate is granted by Heaven, it is only natural to name the Heavenly Court as the Celestial Court. |
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| − | The most recent monarchy to be abolished was the former [[Commonwealth Realm]] monarchy of [[Mauritius]] in 1992. In 1999 Australians voted to keep their status as a monarchy under Queen Elizabeth II. | + | The Mandate of Heaven and the Divine Right of Kings both sought to legitimize rule from divine approval. However, the Divine Right of Kings granted unconditional legitimacy, whereas the Mandate of Heaven was conditional on the just behavior of the ruler. |
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| − | Countries may regard themselves as monarchies even without an actual monarch on the vacant throne, as [[Spain]] did from 1947 to 1975, and [[Hungary]] from 1920 to 1946.
| + | == Constitutional monarchy == |
| | + | In a [[constitutional monarchy]], the monarch is largely a [[Ceremony|ceremonial]] [[figurehead]] subject to a [[constitution]]. [[Sovereignty]] rests formally with and is carried out in name of [[The Crown]], but politically rests with the people (electorate), as represented by the [[parliament]] or other [[legislature]]. Constitutional monarchs have limited [[political power]], and are constituted by tradition and precedent, popular opinion, or by [[Code (law)|legal codes]] or [[statute]]s. They serve as [[symbol]]s of continuity and of the [[state]] and carry out largely ceremonial functions. Still, many constitutional monarchs retain certain privileges ([[inviolability]], [[sovereign immunity]], an [[official residence]]) and powers (to grant [[pardon]]s, to appoint [[Nobility|titles of nobility]]). Additionally, some monarchs retain [[reserve power]]s, such as to dismiss a [[prime minister]], refuse to dissolve parliament, or withhold [[Royal Assent]] to legislation, effectively [[veto]]ing it. |
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| − | A person who can be taken into consideration as future monarch in case of restoration of monarchy (or who even claims to be the legitimate heir to the throne of a deposed or in the royalist view suspended monarchy) is called a [[pretender]], but that term also applies to a rival claimant of a filled throne, such as the several Russians who claimed to be a [[Tsar]] simultaneously.
| + | == Succession == |
| | + | Different systems of [[Order of succession|succession]] have been used, such as [[proximity of blood]], [[primogeniture]], and [[agnatic seniority]] ([[Salic law]]). Primogeniture, in which the eldest child of the monarch is first in line to become monarch, is the most common system. In the case of the absence of children, the next most senior member of the collateral line (for example, a younger sibling) becomes monarch. Other systems include [[tanistry]], which is semi-elective and gives weight to merit and Salic law. In complex cases, especially in the [[Middle Ages]], the system of primogeniture competed with the sometimes conflicting principle of proximity of blood, and outcomes were idiosyncratic. In some monarchies, such as [[Saudi Arabia]], succession to the throne usually first passes to the monarch's next eldest brother, and only after that to the monarch's children (agnatic seniority). |
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| − | See also [[abolished monarchy]] for a list of recently-abolished monarchies and the [[Republican Monarchist Debate]].
| + | A [[self-proclaimed monarchy]] is established when a person claims the monarchy without any historical ties to a previous dynasty. [[Napoleon I of France]] declared himself [[List of French monarchs|Emperor of the French]] and ruled the [[First French Empire]] after previously calling himself [[First Consul]] following his seizure of power in the coup of [[18 Brumaire]]. [[Jean-Bédel Bokassa]] of the [[Central African Empire]] declared himself "Emperor." [[Yuan Shikai]] crowned himself Emperor of the short-lived "[[Empire of China (1915–1916)|Empire of China]]" a few years after the [[Republic of China]] was founded. |
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| − | ==Unusual Monarchies== | + | == Hereditary monarchy == |
| − | Sometimes, component members of federal states are monarchies, even though the federal state as a whole is not; for example each of the emirates that form the [[United Arab Emirates]] has its own monarch (an [[emir]]).
| + | Monarchies are associated with political or sociocultural [[Hereditary monarchy|hereditary rule]], in which monarchs rule for life (although the [[Yang di-Pertuan Agong]] of [[Malaysia]], who serves a five-year term, and others are considered monarchs although they do not hold lifetime positions) and pass the responsibilities and power of the position to their children or family when they die. Most monarchies are associated with political or sociocultural hereditary rule, in which monarchs rule for life and pass the responsibilities and power of the position to their children or family when they die. In constitutional monarchies the rule of succession generally is embodied in a law passed by a representative body, such as a [[parliament]]. The principal advantage of hereditary monarchy is the immediate continuity of leadership, usually with a short [[interregnum]] (as seen in the classic phrase "[[The King is dead. Long live the King!]]"). |
| − | Another unique situation is [[Malaysia]], in which the federal king, called the [[Yang di-Pertuan Agong]] or Paramount Ruler, is elected for a five year term from and by the hereditary rulers (mostly [[sultan]]s) of nine of the federation's constitutive [[States of Malaysia|States]], all on the [[Malay peninsula]].
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| − | In addition to his ecclesiastical role as Supreme Pontiff of all Christians worldwide in communion with the Bishop of Rome, the [[Pope]] is ''ex officio'' the absolute monarch of [[Vatican City]], the last truly sovereign [[Prince of the Church]]. He is elected by (and customarily from among) the [[College of Cardinals]]. (Since the Catholic episcopate is celibate, naturally there can be no official hereditary succession to the papal throne.) Notwithstanding this, the papacy has at times been under the control of powerful Italian families. Several popes have been succeeded by near relatives (officially described as ''Nepotes'', literally 'nephews').
| + | Most monarchs, both historically and in the modern day, have been born and brought up within a [[royal family]], the center of the [[royal household]] and [[Noble court|court]]. Growing up in a royal family (when present for several [[generation]]s it may be called a [[dynasty]]), and [[heir apparent|future monarch]]s were often trained for the responsibilities of expected future rule. |
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| − | [[Andorra]] is the world's only co-principality: it had two co-princes: the Bishop of [[Urgell]] in Spain (thus a [[Prince-Bishop]]), and the [[President of France]]—a unique case where an independent country's Monarch is democratically elected by the citizens of another country, which is not even in full [[personal union]]. | + | == Elective Monarchy == |
| | + | In an [[elective monarchy]], the monarch is [[Election|elected]], but otherwise serves as any other monarch. Historical examples of elective monarchy include the [[Holy Roman Emperor]]s (chosen by [[prince-elector]]s, but often coming from the same dynasty), and the [[free election]] of kings of the [[Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth]]. Modern examples include the [[pope]] of the [[Roman Catholic Church]] (who rules as [[Sovereign]] of the [[Vatican City|Vatican City State]] and is elected to a life term by the [[College of Cardinals]]) and the ''Yang di-Pertuan Agong'' of [[Malaysia]]. |
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| − | Since 1947, the [[Emperor of Japan|Emperors of Japan]] have reigned as neither [[sovereign]], nor the [[de jure]] [[head of state]]. [[Emperor Hirohito]] having ceded sovereignty to the people shortly after World War II, the Japanese monarchy is bound by [[supreme law]] as opposed to [[constitutional convention]] under the provisos of the [[Constitution of Japan]].
| + | In an [[elective monarchy]], monarchs are elected or appointed by some body (an [[electoral college]]) for life. For example, [[Pepin the Short]] (father of [[Charlemagne]]) was elected [[List of Frankish kings|King of the Franks]] by an assembly of Frankish leading men; [[Stanisław August Poniatowski]] of [[Poland]] was an elected king, as was [[Frederick I of Denmark]]. [[Germanic peoples]] had elective monarchies, and the [[Holy Roman Emperor]]s were elected by [[prince-elector]]s, although this often was merely a formalization of what was in reality, hereditary rule. Three elective monarchies exists today, [[Malaysia]], [[Samoa]], and the [[United Arab Emirates]] are twentieth-century creations, while one (the [[Pope|papacy]]) is ancient. |
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| − | [[Samoa]] was often disputably described as a monarchy. The Constitution designated the ''[[o le Ao o le Malo]]'', rendered as Head of State for life with a royal style, but the last incumbent, [[Malietoa Tanumafili II of Samoa|Malietoa Tanumafili II]], a past member of one of the three princely families, died and has been succeeded by an elected leader for a five year term. It has since been stated as a constitutional presidency.[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:O_le_Ao_o_le_Malo] | + | == Female succession == |
| | + | Sometimes the order of succession is affected by rules on gender. [[Matrilineality]] determined the royal lineage in [[Ancient Egypt]] for over three thousand years, but many more males reigned than females. [[Agnatic succession]] bars females. In some systems a female may rule as monarch only when the male line dating back to a common ancestor is exhausted. |
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| − | ==Monarchy and Oligarchy==
| + | In 1980, [[Sweden]] became the first European monarchy to declare equal (full cognatic) primogeniture, meaning that the eldest child of the monarch, whether female or male, ascends to the throne.<ref>SOU 1977:5 ''Kvinnlig tronföljd'', 16.</ref> Other kingdoms (such as the [[Netherlands]] in 1983, [[Norway]] in 1990, and [[Belgium]] in 1991) have since followed suit. Sometimes [[religion]] is affected; under the [[Act of Settlement 1701]] all [[Roman Catholic Church|Roman Catholics]] are ineligible to be the [[Monarchy of the United Kingdom|British monarch]] and are skipped in the order of succession. |
| − | Early societies may become oligarchies as an outgrowth of an alliance between rival tribal chieftains or as the result of a caste system. Oligarchies can often become instruments of transformation, by insisting that monarchs or dictators share power, thereby opening the door to power-sharing by other elements of society (while oligarchy means "the rule of the few," monarchy means "the rule of the one"). One example of power-sharing from one person to a larger group of persons occurred when English nobles banded together in 1215 to force a reluctant King John of England to sign the Magna Carta, a tacit recognition both of King John's waning political power and of the existence of an incipient oligarchy (the nobility). As English society continued to grow and develop, the Magna Carta was repeatedly revised (1216, 1217, and 1225), guaranteeing greater rights to greater numbers of people, thus setting the stage for English constitutional monarchy.
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| − | Oligarchies may also evolve into more autocratic or monarchist forms of government, sometimes as the result of one family gaining ascendancy over the others. Many of the European monarchies established during the late Middle Ages began in this way.
| + | == Appointment == |
| | + | [[Appointment]] by the current monarch is another system, used in [[Jordan]]. In this system, the monarch chooses the successor, who may or may not be a relative. |
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| − | ==Arguments for and against monarchies== | + | == Monarchy and the military == |
| − | {{POV-section}}
| + | In some cases the monarch's power is limited, not due to constitutional restraints, but to effective [[military rule]]. In the late [[Roman Empire]], the [[Praetorian Guard]] several times deposed [[Roman Emperor]]s and installed new emperors. The Hellenistic kings of [[Macedon]] and of [[Epirus (region)|Epirus]] were elected by the army, which was similar in composition to the ''[[Ecclesia (ancient Athens)|ecclesia]]'' of [[democracies]], the council of all free citizens; military service often was linked with citizenship among the male members of the royal house. Military domination of the monarch has occurred in modern [[Thailand]] and in [[medieval Japan]] (where a hereditary military chief, the [[shogun]] was the de facto ruler, although the [[Emperor of Japan|Japanese emperor]] nominally ruled. In [[Italian fascism|Fascist Italy]] a monarchy coexisted with a fascist party, as did [[Romania]] or [[Greece]]. [[Spain under Franco|Spain under Francisco Franco]] (was officially a monarchy, although there was no monarch on the throne. (Upon his death, Franco was succeeded as head of state by the [[House of Bourbon|Bourbon]] heir, [[Juan Carlos I of Spain|Juan Carlos I]]. |
| − | {{Unreferenced|date=May 2007}}
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| − | {{Weasel}}
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| − | ===Arguments for monarchies=== | + | ==The Future of Monarchy== |
| − | [[Monarchism|Monarchists]] make the following arguments, among others, in support of monarchy:
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| − | *They claim that a hereditary monarch is likely to be a more competent head-of-state than is an elected president, because the former may have been prepared, from childhood, to serve as such.
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| − | *They claim that a monarchy may be less costly to maintain than a republic because it spares the state the expense of holding presidential elections, and because the royal family's private fortune may be enough for its own support, as against the public expenditures, in a republic, for the accommodations, pensions and other maintenance of incumbent and former presidents.
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| − | *They claim that the competition and criticism to which republican presidents typically are exposed, as elected officials and especially during the election campaigns themselves, damages the reputation and dignity of the head of state.
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| − | *They claim that because republican presidents are typically members of a political party, while monarchs typically stand outside of politics, a president is less well able to serve as a neutral representative of a country and its people.
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| − | *They claim, likewise, that presidents are obliged to act in accord with the policies and ideas of their political parties, while monarchs can reign more independently political considerations.
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| − | *They claim that a monarch makes a better visible symbol of national identity and unity than does a president.
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| − | * They claim that in a republic the continual changes of head-of-state create political uncertainty, which they contrast with the symbolic continuity of having a monarch. Some monarchists even argue that monarchy not only symbolises continuity, but actually guarantees of political stability, and instance, to support this view, historical cases where the abolition of monarchy has been followed by civil wars and the rise of totalitarian systems, such as [[Jacobin Club|Jacobinism]] in France, [[Nazism]] in Germany, and [[Communist state|Communism]] in Russia and China.
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| − | ===Arguments against monarchies=== | + | ===Modern Era=== |
| − | Republicans generally argue that hereditary monarchy is the ultimate symbol of unfairness and elitism. According to them, in a modern democratic society no one should be expected to defer to another simply because of their birth. Such a system is not seen as compatible for a society which is at ease with itself. Further, republicans argue that 'the people', should be sovereign itself.
| + | In recent centuries many states have [[Abolished monarchy|abolished the monarchy]] and becomes [[republic]]s. At the start of the twenty-first century, 44 nations in the world had monarchs as heads of state, 16 of them [[Commonwealth realm]]s that recognize [[Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom|Queen Elizabeth II]] as their head of state. A monarch may hold a variety of other positions. The English monarch also is Head of the Commonwealth, Supreme Governor of the Church of England, Duke of Normandy, Lord of Mann, and Paramount Chief of Fiji. |
| − | *Republicans argue that it should be a fundamental right of the people of any nation to elect their Head of State and for every citizen to be eligible to hold that public office, and that such a Head of State is more accountable to the people.
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| − | *According to critics of monarchy, monarchical prerogative powers could be used to circumvent normal democratic process with no accountability.
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| − | *Republicans argue that a hereditary system condemns each heir to the throne to an abnormal childhood that produces an abnormal individual as Head of State.
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| − | *Republicans argue that monarchy is a very expensive system.
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| − | *In some specific cases monarchy has been questioned because it became associated with fascism, occupation and/or dictatorship. In [[Italy]] the [[Kingdom of Italy (1861–1946)#Dissolution of the Kingdom of Italy|monarchy was dissolved]] via [[Birth of the Italian Republic|referendum]] in 1946 because then King [[Victor Emmanuel III of Italy|Victor Emmanuel]] had endorsed the Fascist regime of [[Mussolini]]. In [[Belgium]] a similar referendum was held in 1950, concerning the [[Monarchy of Belgium]]. Here only 43% of the population rejected the monarchy which had become discredited after King [[Leopold III of Belgium|Leopold III]] had decided to remain in occupied Belgium instead of joining the Belgian government in exile in [[London]]. Supported 57 percent of the population, however, the Belgian Monarchy remained, although Leopold gave up his duties in favour of his son [[Baudouin I of Belgium|Baudouin]], who became 'regent'. Leopold III, abdicated the following year (1951), being succeeded by Baudouin I.
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| − | ==Current monarchies of the world==
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| − | | |
| − | Currently 45 nations in the world have monarchs as heads of state, 16 of which are [[Commonwealth Realms]] that formally recognize [[Queen Elizabeth II]] as their head of state and [[Prince Charles]] as heir.
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| − | | |
| − | {|class="wikitable"
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| − | |-
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| − | !style="background-color:tan;"| '''[[State]]'''
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| − | !style="background-color:lightgrey;"| '''Title'''
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| − | !style="background-color:lightgrey;"| '''Extent'''
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| − | !style="background-color:lightgrey;"| '''Currently'''
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| − | !style="background-color:lightgrey;"| '''Notes'''
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| − | |-
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| − | |{{flag|Andorra}}
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| − | |[[Co-Princes of Andorra|Co-Princes]]
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| − | |[[Constitutional Monarchy]]
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| − | |[[Nicolas Sarkozy]] and [[Joan Enric Vives Sicília]]
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| − | |Political structure in place since 1278.
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| − | |-
| |
| − | |{{flag|Antigua and Barbuda}}
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| − | |King/Queen
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| − | |[[Constitutional Monarchy]]
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| − | |[[Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom|Elizabeth II]]
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| − | |[[Commonwealth Realm]]. The Monarch is represented by a [[Governor-General]], presently [[James Carlisle|Sir James Carlisle]]
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| − | |-
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| − | |{{flag|Australia}}
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| − | |King/Queen
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| − | |[[Federal Constitutional Monarchy]]
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| − | |[[Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom|Elizabeth II]]
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| − | |[[Commonwealth Realm]]. The Monarch is represented by a [[Governor-General]], presently [[Michael Jeffery]], and six [[Governors of the Australian states|Governors]]
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| − | |-
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| − | |{{flag|Bahamas}}
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| − | |King/Queen
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| − | |[[Constitutional Monarchy]]
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| − | |[[Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom|Elizabeth II]]
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| − | |[[Commonwealth Realm]]. The Monarch is represented by a [[Governor-General]], presently [[Ivy Dumont|Dame Ivy Dumont]]
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| − | |-
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| − | |{{flag|Bahrain}}
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| − | |[[King of Bahrain|King, styled Malik]]
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| − | |[[Absolute monarchy|Semi-]][[Constitutional Monarchy]]
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| − | |[[Hamad ibn Isa al-Khalifah]]
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| − | |Known as "[[emir]]" until 2002.
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| − | |-
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| − | |{{flag|Barbados}}
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| − | |King/Queen
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| − | |[[Constitutional Monarchy]]
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| − | |[[Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom|Elizabeth II]]
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| − | |[[Commonwealth Realm]]. The Monarch is represented by a [[Governor-General]], presently [[Clifford Husbands|Sir Clifford Husbands]]
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| − | |-
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| − | |{{flag|Belgium}}
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| − | |[[Belgian monarchy|King/Queen of the Belgians]]
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| − | |[[Constitutional Monarchy]]
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| − | |[[Albert II of Belgium|Albert II]]
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| − | |Ruled by the [[Dutch monarchy|king of the Netherlands]] until 1830. At the 1830 independence the constitution was a model of how to limit royal power.
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| − | |-
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| − | |{{flag|Belize}}
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| − | |King/Queen
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| − | |[[Constitutional Monarchy]]
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| − | |[[Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom|Elizabeth II]]
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| − | |[[Commonwealth Realm]]. The Monarch is represented by a [[Governor-General]], presently [[Colville Young|Sir Colville Young]]
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| − | |-
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| − | |{{flag|Bhutan}}
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| − | |[[List of rulers of Bhutan|''Druk Gyalpo'' 'Dragon King']]
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| − | |[[Absolute Monarchy]]
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| − | |[[Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck]]
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| − | |[[Buddhist]] monarchy.
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| − | |-
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| − | |{{flag|Brunei}}
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| − | |[[List of sultans of Brunei|Sultan]]
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| − | |[[Absolute monarchy|Absolute]] [[sultanate]]
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| − | |[[Hassanal Bolkiah]]
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| − | |
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| − | |-
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| − | |{{flag|Cambodia}}
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| − | |[[King of Cambodia|King; individual throne styles, but most Kings include the titles of Brhat Pada, Samdach Brhat, Varman, Rajadhiraja, Parama, and Adipati]]
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| − | |[[Constitutional Monarchy]]
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| − | |[[Norodom Sihamoni]]
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| − | |Reinstituted in 1993.
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| − | |-
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| − | |{{flag|Canada}}
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| − | |King/Queen
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| − | |[[Constitutional Monarchy]]
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| − | |[[Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom|Elizabeth II]]
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| − | |[[Commonwealth Realm]]. The Monarch is represented by a [[Governor General]], presently [[Michaëlle Jean]], and by ten [[Lieutenant Governor]]s, one in each province.
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| − | |-
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| − | |{{flag|Denmark}}
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| − | |[[List of Danish monarchs|King/Queen]]
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| − | |[[Constitutional Monarchy]]
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| − | |[[Margrethe II of Denmark]]
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| − | |Also queen of [[Greenland]] and the [[Faroe Islands]]. [[Act of Succession]] revised in 1953 to allow for female monarchs.
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| − | |-
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| − | |{{flag|Grenada}}
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| − | |King/Queen
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| − | |[[Constitutional Monarchy]]
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| − | |[[Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom|Elizabeth II]]
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| − | |[[Commonwealth Realm]]. The Monarch is represented by a [[Governor-General]], presently [[Daniel Williams|Sir Daniel Williams]]
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| − | |-
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| − | |{{flag|Jamaica}}
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| − | |King/Queen
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| − | |[[Constitutional Monarchy]]
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| − | |[[Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom|Elizabeth II]]
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| − | |[[Commonwealth Realm]]. The Monarch is represented by a [[Governor-General]], presently [[Governor-General Kenneth Hall|Kenneth Hall]]
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| − | |-
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| − | |{{flag|Japan}}
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| − | |[[Emperor of Japan|Emperor, styled Tennō]]
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| − | |[[Constitutional Monarchy]]/[[Empire]]
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| − | |[[Akihito]]
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| − | |World's only remaining [[emperor]].
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| − | |-
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| − | |{{flag|Jordan}}
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| − | |[[King of Jordan|Hashemite King, styled Malik]]
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| − | |[[Absolute monarchy|Semi-]][[Constitutional monarchy|constitutional]] [[Hashemite]] monarchy
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| − | |[[Abdullah II of Jordan|Abdullah II]]
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| − | |Monarchy established by [[United Kingdom]] in 1921.
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| − | |-
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| − | |{{flag|Kuwait}}
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| − | |[[List of emirs of Kuwait|Emir, styled ''Amir ad-Dawlat al-Kuwayt'' "Emir of the State of Kuwait"]]
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| − | |[[Absolute monarchy|Semi-]][[Constitutional monarchy|constitutional]] [[emirate]]
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| − | |[[Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah|Sabah Al-Sabah]]
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| − | |Was ''Hakim al-Kuwayt'' "Ruler of Kuwait" until 1961; still prefixed "[[sheikh]]," as every member of a Gulf dynasty).
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| − | |-
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| − | |{{flag|Lesotho}}
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| − | |[[List of kings of Lesotho|King]]
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| − | |[[Constitutional Monarchy]]
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| − | |[[Letsie III of Lesotho|Letsie III]]
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| − | |Known as [[Paramount Chief]] until 1965. Regarded as a symbol of national unity, the King does not exercise any executive or legislative powers.
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| − | |-
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| − | |{{flag|Liechtenstein}}
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| − | |[[List of Princes of Liechtenstein|Prince, styled Fürst]]
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| − | |[[Absolute monarchy|Semi-]][[Constitutional monarchy|constitutional]] [[principality]]
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| − | |[[Hans-Adam II, Prince of Liechtenstein|Hans-Adam II]]
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| − | |Some powers delegated to [[Prince Alois of Liechtenstein|Prince Alois]].
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| − | |-
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| − | |{{flag|Luxembourg}}
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| − | |[[Grand Ducal Family of Luxembourg|Grand Duke/Duchess]]
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| − | |[[Constitutional monarchy|Constitutional]] [[grand duchy]]
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| − | |[[Henri, Grand Duke of Luxembourg|Henri]]
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| − | |Only remaining Grand Duchy. Ruled by the [[Dutch monarchy|king of the Netherlands]] until 1890.
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| − | |-
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| − | |{{flag|Malaysia}}
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| − | |[[Yang di-Pertuan Agong]] or "Paramount Ruler"
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| − | |[[Constitutional monarchy|Constitutional]] [[federation]]
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| − | |[[Mizan Zainal Abidin|Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin]]
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| − | |Position electoral amongst -de facto tends to rotate between- the nine hereditary rulers of the pensinsular [[Malay states]], only for 5 years.
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| − | |-
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| − | |{{flag|Monaco}}
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| − | |[[Sovereign Prince of Monaco|Sovereign Prince/Princess]]
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| − | |[[Absolute monarchy|Semi-]][[Constitutional monarchy|constitutional]] [[principality]]
| |
| − | |[[Albert II, Prince of Monaco|Albert II]]
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| − | |Last sovereign monarchy under (French, amical) [[protection]]
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| − | |-
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| − | |{{flag|Morocco}}
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| − | |[[King of Morocco|King, styled Malik]]
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| − | |[[Absolute monarchy|Semi-]][[Constitutional Monarchy]]
| |
| − | |[[Mohammed VI of Morocco|Mohammed VI]]
| |
| − | |Morocco currently [[Executive (government)|administers]] the disputed region of [[Western Sahara]].
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| − | |-
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| − | |{{flag|Nepal}}
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| − | |[[King of Nepal|King, styled Raja]]
| |
| − | |[[Constitutional Monarchy]]
| |
| − | |[[Gyanendra of Nepal|Gyanendra]]
| |
| − | |Parliament stripped the king every power in 2006. According to the Interim Constitution of 2007 the king was replaced with an Interim Head of State. The fate of the monarchy is waiting to be decided in the future.
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| − | |-
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| − | |{{flag|Netherlands}}
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| − | |[[Dutch monarchy|King/Queen, styled Koning(in)]]
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| − | |[[Constitutional Monarchy]]
| |
| − | |[[Beatrix of the Netherlands|Beatrix]]
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| − | |Also Koning(in) of both colonies: [[Aruba]] and [[Netherlands Antilles]].
| |
| − | |-
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| − | |{{flag|New Zealand}} annex [[Cook Islands]] and [[Niue]]
| |
| − | |King/Queen
| |
| − | |[[Constitutional Monarchy]]
| |
| − | |[[Elizabeth II of New Zealand|Elizabeth II]]
| |
| − | |[[Commonwealth Realm]]. The Monarch is represented by [[Governor-General of New Zealand|Governor-General]] [[Anand Satyanand]]
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |{{flag|Norway}}
| |
| − | |[[List of Norwegian monarchs|King, styled Norges Konge]]
| |
| − | |[[Constitutional Monarchy]]
| |
| − | |[[Harald V of Norway|Harald V]]
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| − | |
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| − | |-
| |
| − | |{{flag|Oman}}
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| − | |[[Sultan of Oman|Sultan]]
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| − | |[[Absolute monarchy|Absolute]] [[sultanate]]
| |
| − | |[[Qaboos of Oman|Qaboos]]
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| − | |
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |{{flag|Papua New Guinea}}
| |
| − | |King/Queen
| |
| − | |[[Constitutional Monarchy]]
| |
| − | |[[Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom|Elizabeth II]]
| |
| − | |[[Commonwealth Realm]]. The Monarch is represented by a [[Governor-General]], presently [[Paulias Matane|Sir Paulias Matane]]
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| − | |-
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| − | |{{flag|Qatar}}
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| − | |[[List of emirs of Qatar|Emir]]
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| − | |[[Absolute monarchy|Absolute]] [[emirate]]
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| − | |[[Hamad bin Khalifa]]
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| − | |Formerly ''Hakim Qatar'' "Ruler of Qatar," from 3-9-1971: ''Amir Dawlat Qatar'' "Emir of the State of Qatar"
| |
| − | |-
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| − | |{{flag|Saint Kitts and Nevis}}
| |
| − | |King/Queen
| |
| − | |[[Constitutional Monarchy]]
| |
| − | |[[Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom|Elizabeth II]]
| |
| − | |[[Commonwealth Realm]]. The Monarch is represented by a [[Governor-General]], presently [[Cuthbert Sebastian|Sir Cuthbert Sebastian]]
| |
| − | |-
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| − | |{{flag|Saint Lucia}}
| |
| − | |King/Queen
| |
| − | |[[Constitutional Monarchy]]
| |
| − | |[[Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom|Elizabeth II]]
| |
| − | |[[Commonwealth Realm]]. The Monarch is represented by a [[Governor-General]], presently [[Pearlette Louisy|Dame Pearlette Louisy]]
| |
| − | |-
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| − | |{{flag|Saint Vincent and the Grenadines}}
| |
| − | |King/Queen
| |
| − | |[[Constitutional Monarchy]]
| |
| − | |[[Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom|Elizabeth II]]
| |
| − | |[[Commonwealth Realm]]. The Monarch is represented by a [[Governor-General]], presently [[Frederick Ballantyne|Sir Frederick Ballantyne]]
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| − | |-
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| − | |{{flag|Saudi Arabia}}
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| − | |[[List of kings of Saudi Arabia|King]] styled [[Malik]] but also The [[Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques]] (خادم الحرمين الشريفين), i.e. [[Protector (title)|Protector]] of the Holy Cities
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| − | |[[Absolute Monarchy]]
| |
| − | |[[Abdullah of Saudi Arabia|Abdullah]]
| |
| − | |Saudi Arabia was [[History of Saudi Arabia|unified]] in 1932.
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| − | |-
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| − | |{{flag|Solomon Islands}}
| |
| − | |King/Queen
| |
| − | |[[Commonwealth Realm]]
| |
| − | |[[Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom|Elizabeth II]]
| |
| − | |[[Commonwealth Realm]]. The Monarch is represented by a [[Governor-General]], presently [[Nathaniel Waena|Sir Nathaniel Waena]]
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| − | |-
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| − | |{{flag|Spain}}
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| − | |[[List of Spanish monarchs|King/Queen]]
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| − | |[[Constitutional Monarchy]]
| |
| − | |[[Juan Carlos I of Spain|Juan Carlos I]]
| |
| − | |Monarchy was restored in 1975; and holds the title [[King of Jerusalem]].
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| − | |-
| |
| − | |{{flag|Swaziland}}
| |
| − | |[[List of kings of Swaziland|King]] (also [[Indovuzaki]] -lit. ''She-Elephant''- or [[Queen Mother]])
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| − | |[[Absolute Monarchy]]
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| − | |[[Mswati III of Swaziland|Mswati III]] (and [[Ntombi of Swaziland|Ntombi]])
| |
| − | |Currently [[democratization|democratizing]].
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| − | |-
| |
| − | |{{flag|Sweden}}
| |
| − | |[[Monarch of Sweden|King/Queen, styled Konung/Drottning]]
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| − | |[[Constitutional Monarchy]]
| |
| − | |[[Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden|Carl XVI Gustaf]]
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| − | |[[Act of Succession]] revised in 1979 to allow for female monarchs (full cognatic primogeniture).
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| − | |-
| |
| − | |{{flag|Thailand}}
| |
| − | |[[King of Thailand|King]]
| |
| − | |[[Constitutional Monarchy]]
| |
| − | |[[Bhumibol Adulyadej]]
| |
| − | |The world's longest-serving current head of state. Known as [[Rama (King of Thailand)|Rama]], the throne name with numeral officially used by every king of the present [[Chakri dynasty]], presently Rama IX; [[Buddhist]] monarchy.
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| − | |-
| |
| − | |{{flag|Tonga}}
| |
| − | |[[List of monarchs of Tonga|King/Queen]]
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| − | |[[Constitutional Monarchy]]
| |
| − | |[[George Tupou V]]
| |
| − | |The traditional Polynesian style of [[Tu'i]] Tonga, still the dynasty's birthright, was superseded by the western royal style in 1865, i.e. before the British protectorate
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |{{flag|Tuvalu}}
| |
| − | |King/Queen
| |
| − | |[[Constitutional Monarchy]]
| |
| − | |[[Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom|Elizabeth II]]
| |
| − | |[[Commonwealth Realm]]. The Monarch is represented by a [[Governor-General]], presently [[Filoimea Telito]]
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| − | |-
| |
| − | |{{flag|United Arab Emirates}}
| |
| − | |[[President of the United Arab Emirates|President]]
| |
| − | |[[Constitutional monarchy|Constitutional]] [[federation]]
| |
| − | |[[Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahayan]]
| |
| − | |Position formally elected amongst the seven rulers of the [[List of rulers of separate Emirates of the United Arab Emirates|Trucial states]], de facto always from premier state Abu Dhabi.
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |{{flag|United Kingdom}}
| |
| − | |[[British monarchy|King/Queen]]
| |
| − | |[[Constitutional Monarchy]]
| |
| − | |[[Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom|Elizabeth II]]
| |
| − | |[[Commonwealth Realm]]. Also Sovereign of [[Guernsey]], [[Jersey]], [[Isle of Man]], and the non-sovereign states [[Anguilla]], [[Bermuda]], [[British Virgin Islands]], [[British Indian Ocean Territory]], [[Cayman Islands]], [[Falkland Islands]], [[Gibraltar]], [[Montserrat]], [[Pitcairn Islands]], [[Saint Helena]], [[Ascension Island]], [[Tristan da Cunha]], [[South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands]] and the [[Turks and Caicos Islands]].
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |{{flag|Vatican City}} ([[Holy See]])
| |
| − | |[[Pope|Supreme Pontiff]], more commonly as "Pope"
| |
| − | |[[Absolute monarch|Absolute]] [[theocracy]]
| |
| − | |[[Pope Benedict XVI|Benedict XVI]]
| |
| − | |Electoral (by Cardinals in [[conclave]]), sovereign [[Prince of the church]]
| |
| − | |}
| |
| − | | |
| − | ==Current subnational traditional monarchies==
| |
| − | Not only are the Monarchs of constitutive monarchies part of the federal establishment of both present elective monarchies (Malaysia, mainly sultanates, and the UAE, so named after its emirates), in many other modern states -often republics- tribal and other traditional states persist, with a dynasty that retains a court and often local prestige and influence; some are officially installed with the consent of the official government (as some of the many in Indonesia- waiting for the go-ahead can mean years of vacancy on the throne), others are merely condoned, or even in exile.
| |
| − | | |
| − | {|class="wikitable"
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| − | |-
| |
| − | !style="background-color:tan;"| '''[[State]]'''
| |
| − | !style="background-color:lightgrey;"| '''Title'''
| |
| − | !style="background-color:lightgrey;"| '''Ruler'''
| |
| − | !style="background-color:lightgrey;"| '''Part of'''
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| − | !style="background-color:lightgrey;"| '''Notes'''
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |'''[[Ankole]]'''
| |
| − | |[[Omugabe of Nkole|Omugabe]]
| |
| − | |[[Ntare VI]]
| |
| − | |{{flag|Uganda}}
| |
| − | |Due to [[constitutional reform]] in 1993, the [[government of Uganda]] restored several traditional monarchies.
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |'''[[The Ashanti|Ashanti]]'''
| |
| − | |[[Asantehene]] (King)
| |
| − | |[[Otumfuo Nana Osei Tutu II]]
| |
| − | |{{flag|Ghana}}
| |
| − | |The succession is decided by a series of councils of local notables and other royal family members.
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |'''[[Buganda]]'''
| |
| − | |[[Kabaka of Buganda|Kabaka]] and [[Nnabagereka of Buganda|Nnabagereka]]
| |
| − | |[[Muwenda Mutebi II of Buganda|Muwenda Mutebi II]] and [[Queen Sylvia of Buganda]]
| |
| − | |{{flag|Uganda}}
| |
| − | |Due to [[constitutional reform]] in 1993, the [[government of Uganda]] restored several traditional monarchies.
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |'''[[Bunyoro]]'''
| |
| − | |[[Omukama of Bunyoro|Omukama]]
| |
| − | |[[Iguru]]
| |
| − | |{{flag|Uganda}}
| |
| − | |Due to [[constitutional reform]] in 1993, the [[government of Uganda]] restored several traditional monarchies.
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |'''[[Busoga]]'''
| |
| − | |[[Kyabazinga of Busoga|Kyabazinga]]
| |
| − | |[[Henry Wako Muloki]]
| |
| − | |{{flag|Uganda}}
| |
| − | |Due to [[constitutional reform]] in 1993, the [[government of Uganda]] restored several traditional monarchies.
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |'''[[Dagomba|Dagbon]]'''
| |
| − | |Yaa Naa
| |
| − | |Kampakuya Naa Abdulai Yakubu Andani (title)
| |
| − | |{{flag|Ghana}}
| |
| − | |The Yaa Naa is selected by a group of Kingmakers led by the Kuga Naa who is the embodiment of the customs and traditions of the Dagbon people. The King is selected after consulting the oracles and soothsayers. The current occupier is the prince and elder son of the immediate past Yaa Naa, Yaa Naa Yakubu Andani II who died in 2002. He is the Regent of Dagbon and acts as Yaa Naa until a new Yaa Naa is selected. The Regent is also qualified to be selected.
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |'''[[Māori]]'''
| |
| − | |[[Māori King Movement|Ariki (Kiingi ''or'' Kuini)]]
| |
| − | |[[Tuheitia Paki]]
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| − | |{{flag|New Zealand}}
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| − | |Holding no constitutional but ceremonial roles.
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |'''[[Sigave]]'''
| |
| − | |[[Tu'i|Tu'i (King or chief)]]
| |
| − | |[[Visesio Moeliku]]
| |
| − | |{{flag|Wallis and Futuna}}
| |
| − | |The [[Council of the Territory of Wallis and Futuna]] consists of three kings and three members appointed by the [[High administrator of Wallis and Futuna|high administrator]] on the advice of the [[Territorial Assembly of Wallis and Futuna|Territorial Assembly]].
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |'''[[Tibet]]'''
| |
| − | |[[Dalai Lama]]
| |
| − | |[[Tenzin Gyatso]]
| |
| − | |{{flag|PRC}}
| |
| − | |[[Absolute monarch|Absolute]] [[theocracy]]. The Dalai Lama is chosen as a [[tulku]] by high [[lama]]s.
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |'''[[Toro (kingdom)|Toro]]'''
| |
| − | |[[Omukama of Toro|Omukama]]
| |
| − | |[[Rukidi IV of Toro|Rukidi IV]]
| |
| − | |{{flag|Uganda}}
| |
| − | |Due to [[constitutional reform]] in 1993, the [[government of Uganda]] restored several traditional monarchies.
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |'''[[Tu'a|Tu'a (Alo)]]'''
| |
| − | |[[Tu`i Agaifo]] (king)
| |
| − | |[[Soane Patita Maituku]]
| |
| − | |{{flag|Wallis and Futuna}}
| |
| − | |The [[Council of the Territory of Wallis and Futuna]] consists of three kings and three members appointed by the [[High administrator of Wallis and Futuna|high administrator]] on the advice of the [[Territorial Assembly of Wallis and Futuna|Territorial Assembly]].
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |'''[[Wallis Island|Uvea]]'''
| |
| − | |[[Tui `Uvea]] (King, also styled Hau and Lavelua)
| |
| − | |(currently none)
| |
| − | |{{flag|Wallis and Futuna}}
| |
| − | |The [[Council of the Territory of Wallis and Futuna]] consists of three kings and three members appointed by the [[High administrator of Wallis and Futuna|high administrator]] on the advice of the [[Territorial Assembly of Wallis and Futuna|Territorial Assembly]].
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |'''[[Yogyakarta|Special Region of Yogyakarta]]'''
| |
| − | |[[Yogyakarta Sultanate|Sultan]]
| |
| − | |[[Hamengkubuwono X]]
| |
| − | |{{flag|Indonesia}}
| |
| − | |The sultan is ''de facto'' governor of the province of Yogyakarta Special Region. It is the only monarchy in Indonesia that is officially recognized by the central government.
| |
| − | |-
| |
| − | |'''[[KwaZulu-Natal Province|Zululand]]'''
| |
| − | |[[King of the Zulu Nation|King]]
| |
| − | |[[Goodwill Zwelethini kaBhekuzulu]]
| |
| − | |{{flag|South Africa}}
| |
| − | |Although the king does not hold any direct political power, he is provided a stipend by the [[government of South Africa]], and holds considerable sway over more traditionalist [[Zulu]] people in the KwaZulu-Natal Province.
| |
| − | |}
| |
| | | | |
| − | In many countries that are legally [[republic]]s, an heir to the throne is recognized by the royalist part of the [[nation]]. A list of such countries is available in the [[pretender]] article.
| |
| | | | |
| − | ==See also== | + | == Notes== |
| − | *[[List of monarchies]]
| + | <references/> |
| − | *[[List of monarchs by nickname]]
| |
| − | *[[List of living former sovereign monarchs]]
| |
| − | *[[List of usurpers]]
| |
| − | *[[Abolished monarchies]]
| |
| − | *[[Family as a model for the state]]
| |
| − | *[[Feudalism]]
| |
| − | *[[Monarch]]
| |
| − | *[[Monarchism]]
| |
| − | *[[Regent]]
| |
| − | *[[Theocracy]]
| |
| − |
| |
| − | ===Specific monarchies===
| |
| − | *[[Monarchy in Australia|Australian Monarchy]]
| |
| − | *[[Belgian monarchy]]
| |
| − | *[[British Monarchy]]
| |
| − | *[[Monarchies of Burma]]
| |
| − | *[[Monarchy in Canada|Canadian Monarchy]]
| |
| − | *[[List of Danish monarchs]]
| |
| − | *[[Monarchies of Ethiopia]]
| |
| − | *[[Cokossian Monarchy]]
| |
| − | *[[Dutch monarchy]]
| |
| − | *[[Emperor of Japan]]
| |
| − | *[[Indonesian Monarchies]]
| |
| − | *[[King of Ireland]]
| |
| − | *[[Kotokolian Monarchy]]
| |
| − | *[[Monarchy in New Zealand|New Zealand Monarchy]]
| |
| − | *[[List of Nigerian traditional states]]
| |
| − | *[[Norwegian monarchy]]
| |
| − | *[[Datu|Datus of the Philippines]]
| |
| − | *[[Monarch of Sweden]]
| |
| − | *[[Tenkodogo Monarchy]]
| |
| − | *[[Wogodogo Monarchy]]
| |
| | | | |
| − | ==Sources, References and External links== | + | ==References== |
| − | All links retrieved November 1, 2007.
| + | *Bouvier, John, and Francis Rawle. (1914)''Bouvier's Law Dictionary and Concise Encyclopedia.'' Buffalo, NY: Hein, 1984. ISBN 978-0899413358 |
| − | {{wikiquote}}
| + | *Figgis, J. Neville. (1896) ''The Theory of the Divine Right of Kings.'' reprint ed. Kessinger Publishing, LLC. 2007 ISBN 978-0548289013 |
| − | *[http://www.legitimist.net The Legitimist] | + | *Frazer, J.G. (1900) ''The Golden Bough, A study in magic and religion.'' Oxford University Press. 1998 ISBN 978-0192835413 |
| − | *[http://themonarchist.blogspot.com The Monarchist]
| + | *Hillay, Zmora. ''Monarchy, aristocracy and state in Europe.'' Routledge. 2001. ISBN 978-0415150446 |
| − | *[http://www.monarchy.net The International Monarchist League] | |
| − | *[http://www.monarchist.ca The Monarchist League of Canada]
| |
| − | *[http://www.royaltymonarchy.com/monfacts/monguide.html Theodore's Royalty and Monarchy Site] | |
| − | *[http://www.worldstatesmen.org/ WorldStatesmen- by present country]
| |
| | | | |
| − | {{-}}
| |
| | | | |
| | + | {{Template group |
| | + | |list = |
| | {{Monarchies}} | | {{Monarchies}} |
| − | {{crowns}} | + | {{Crowns}} |
| | + | }} |
| | | | |
| | [[Category:Politics_and_social_sciences]] | | [[Category:Politics_and_social_sciences]] |
| | [[Category:Politics]] | | [[Category:Politics]] |
| − | {{credits|168268769}} | + | {{credits|269078783}} |
A monarchy is a form of government in which supreme power is absolutely or nominally lodged in an individual, who is the head of state, often for life or until abdication. The head of a monarchy is called a monarch. It was a common form of government across the world during the ancient and medieval times.
Although monarchy is a system of government with a single sovereign, monarchy took several forms and had varied characteristics, depending on culture and circumstances. Legitimation, levels of authority, exercise of power, role and responsibilities, and succession were determined more by the historical age and native culture than by the desires and preferences of the ruler. As civilization advanced, noblemen, elected representatives, foreign influences and the satisfaction of the ruled subjects had tremendous influence over the shape and character of the institution, although reigning monarchs were still considered absolute authorities.
Monarchs were a civil counterpart to religious leaders, whether priest, shaman, sorcerer or prophet. This division of authority over the two major spheres of life sometimes created tension between the respective offices that resulted in conflict. When the two were in harmony, their unity built a strong base for the populace and the state was generally prosperous.
In the modern era the role of most monarchs is largely ceremonial. Although the monarch is still the head of state and the emblem of state authority, power has devolved to another office, such as a parliament. Several exceptions to this exist, particularly in the Middle East.
Etymology
The word monarch (Latin: monarcha) comes from the Greek μονάρχης (from μόνος, "one/singular," and ἀρχων, "leader/ruler/chief") which referred to a single, at least nominally absolute ruler, one who "is wholly set apart from all other members of the state."[1]
Titles
Monarchs have various titles, including king or queen, prince or princess (Sovereign Prince of Monaco), emperor or empress (Emperor of Japan, Emperor of India), or even duke or grand duke (Grand Duke of Luxembourg) or duchess. Many monarchs also are distinguished by styles, such as "Royal Highness" or "By the Grace of God." Many monarchs have been styled Fidei defensor (Defender of the Faith); some hold official positions relating to the state religion or established church. Female monarchs typically have the title “queen regnant,” while a “queen consort” may refer to the wife of a reigning king. A regent may rule when the monarch is a minor, absent, or debilitated. Sometimes titles are used to express claims to territories that are not held in fact (for example, English claims to the French throne) or titles not recognized of (antipopes). A pretender is a claimant to an abolished throne or to a throne already occupied by someone else.
Authority
Historically, most monarchs were absolute rulers. However, holding unlimited political power in the state is not a defining characteristic of a monarchy, as some are constitutional monarchies (such as the United Kingdom and Thailand.) Monarchs also were heavily dependent on their nobleman, who were given honors and privilege within the state in exchange for loyalty and cooperation.[2]
Hereditary rule is often a common characteristic, but not in elective monarchies (such as the pope, sovereign of the Vatican City State).
Most states only have a single monarch at any given time, although two monarchs have ruled simultaneously in some countries (diarchy), as in the ancient Greek city-state of Sparta, and there are examples of joint sovereignty of spouses or relatives (such as William and Mary in the Kingdoms of England and Scotland).[3] In a personal union, the same person serves as monarch of separate independent states.
 ██ Absolute monarchy██ Semi-constitutional monarchy██ Constitutional monarchy██ States in personal union with a constitutional monarch, such as many Commonwealth realms██ Subnational monarchies (partial) |
Absolute monarchy
In an absolute monarchy, the monarch rules as an autocrat, with absolute power over the state and government—for example, the right to rule by decree, promulgate laws, and impose punishments. Absolute monarchies are not necessarily authoritarian; the enlightened absolutists of the Enlightenment were monarchs who allowed various freedoms.
Monarchy, especially absolute monarchy, sometimes is linked to religious aspects; many monarchs once claimed the right to rule by the will of a deity (Divine Right of Kings, Mandate of Heaven), a special connection to a deity (sacred king) or even purported to be incarnations of deities themselves (imperial cult, divine king).
Monarchs and divinity
Early monarchs were the embodiment of community power, ruled by strength and cultivated mystique and loyalty from their subjects. Superhuman and even magical powers were often attributed to them and propaganda was a common technique for instilling obedience. As communities and states expanded in size, monarchs power grew while their public interaction became more distant, enhancing their status.
As religion and mysticism formalized, peoples throughout the world made claims to divinity, which were co-oped by their leaders. The Incas claimed to be "children of the Sun", Jewish teaching was that they were the chosen people of God, Europeans monarchs claimed their sovereignty from the Christian Bible, and Asian monarchs ruled with absolute authority, some claiming divinity. From these roots, the claim by monarchs to be gods or descendants or representatives of God was readily accepted by their subjects.[4]
Originating in Europe in the Middle Ages, a theory of the divine-right of kings can be traced to the medieval conception of God’s award of temporal power to the political ruler, paralleling the award of spiritual power to the church. The theory of the Divine Right of Kings aimed at instilling obedience by explaining why all social ranks were religiously and morally obliged to obey their government.
The main tenants of Divine Right includes:
- Monarchy is a divinely ordained institution
In every kingdom, the king's power comes directly from God, to whom the ruler is accountable; power does not come to the king from the people and he is not accountable to them.
- Hereditary right is indefeasible
The succession is regulated by the law of primogeniture. While the legitimate heir to the crown is alive it is wrong to swear allegiance to any other ruler, even one actually in possession of power.
- Kings are accountable to God alone
The King is God's vicar, and his power cannot be limited. His sovereignty cannot be divided or limited in any way.
- Non-resistance and passive obedience are enjoined by God
However tyrannically kings act, they are never to be actively resisted.[5]
After the Glorious Revolution of 1688, the theory of the Divine Right of Kings lost almost all support in England. It was forcefully expounded in France by Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet (1627-1704) and survived until rendered irrelevant there by Enlightenment and the French Revolution.
In China, monarchs legitimized their rule by family connections to divine power. A philosophical concept concerning the legitimacy of rulers developed around 1045 B.C.E. called The Mandate of Heaven. In this tradition, Heaven would bless the authority of a just ruler, but would be displeased with a despotic ruler and would withdraw their mandate. The Mandate of Heaven would then transfer to those who would rule best.
Manifestations of Mandate of Heaven
- Anyone can become King
- The power and authority of the King, or emperor, is appointed by Heaven
- At the Temple of Heaven only Kings or emperors were allowed to perform the ritual of praying and offering to Heaven.
- All mortals must obey the order of Heaven.
- Since the mandate is granted by Heaven, it is only natural to name the Heavenly Court as the Celestial Court.
The Mandate of Heaven and the Divine Right of Kings both sought to legitimize rule from divine approval. However, the Divine Right of Kings granted unconditional legitimacy, whereas the Mandate of Heaven was conditional on the just behavior of the ruler.
Constitutional monarchy
In a constitutional monarchy, the monarch is largely a ceremonial figurehead subject to a constitution. Sovereignty rests formally with and is carried out in name of The Crown, but politically rests with the people (electorate), as represented by the parliament or other legislature. Constitutional monarchs have limited political power, and are constituted by tradition and precedent, popular opinion, or by legal codes or statutes. They serve as symbols of continuity and of the state and carry out largely ceremonial functions. Still, many constitutional monarchs retain certain privileges (inviolability, sovereign immunity, an official residence) and powers (to grant pardons, to appoint titles of nobility). Additionally, some monarchs retain reserve powers, such as to dismiss a prime minister, refuse to dissolve parliament, or withhold Royal Assent to legislation, effectively vetoing it.
Succession
Different systems of succession have been used, such as proximity of blood, primogeniture, and agnatic seniority (Salic law). Primogeniture, in which the eldest child of the monarch is first in line to become monarch, is the most common system. In the case of the absence of children, the next most senior member of the collateral line (for example, a younger sibling) becomes monarch. Other systems include tanistry, which is semi-elective and gives weight to merit and Salic law. In complex cases, especially in the Middle Ages, the system of primogeniture competed with the sometimes conflicting principle of proximity of blood, and outcomes were idiosyncratic. In some monarchies, such as Saudi Arabia, succession to the throne usually first passes to the monarch's next eldest brother, and only after that to the monarch's children (agnatic seniority).
A self-proclaimed monarchy is established when a person claims the monarchy without any historical ties to a previous dynasty. Napoleon I of France declared himself Emperor of the French and ruled the First French Empire after previously calling himself First Consul following his seizure of power in the coup of 18 Brumaire. Jean-Bédel Bokassa of the Central African Empire declared himself "Emperor." Yuan Shikai crowned himself Emperor of the short-lived "Empire of China" a few years after the Republic of China was founded.
Hereditary monarchy
Monarchies are associated with political or sociocultural hereditary rule, in which monarchs rule for life (although the Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia, who serves a five-year term, and others are considered monarchs although they do not hold lifetime positions) and pass the responsibilities and power of the position to their children or family when they die. Most monarchies are associated with political or sociocultural hereditary rule, in which monarchs rule for life and pass the responsibilities and power of the position to their children or family when they die. In constitutional monarchies the rule of succession generally is embodied in a law passed by a representative body, such as a parliament. The principal advantage of hereditary monarchy is the immediate continuity of leadership, usually with a short interregnum (as seen in the classic phrase "The King is dead. Long live the King!").
Most monarchs, both historically and in the modern day, have been born and brought up within a royal family, the center of the royal household and court. Growing up in a royal family (when present for several generations it may be called a dynasty), and future monarchs were often trained for the responsibilities of expected future rule.
Elective Monarchy
In an elective monarchy, the monarch is elected, but otherwise serves as any other monarch. Historical examples of elective monarchy include the Holy Roman Emperors (chosen by prince-electors, but often coming from the same dynasty), and the free election of kings of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. Modern examples include the pope of the Roman Catholic Church (who rules as Sovereign of the Vatican City State and is elected to a life term by the College of Cardinals) and the Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia.
In an elective monarchy, monarchs are elected or appointed by some body (an electoral college) for life. For example, Pepin the Short (father of Charlemagne) was elected King of the Franks by an assembly of Frankish leading men; Stanisław August Poniatowski of Poland was an elected king, as was Frederick I of Denmark. Germanic peoples had elective monarchies, and the Holy Roman Emperors were elected by prince-electors, although this often was merely a formalization of what was in reality, hereditary rule. Three elective monarchies exists today, Malaysia, Samoa, and the United Arab Emirates are twentieth-century creations, while one (the papacy) is ancient.
Female succession
Sometimes the order of succession is affected by rules on gender. Matrilineality determined the royal lineage in Ancient Egypt for over three thousand years, but many more males reigned than females. Agnatic succession bars females. In some systems a female may rule as monarch only when the male line dating back to a common ancestor is exhausted.
In 1980, Sweden became the first European monarchy to declare equal (full cognatic) primogeniture, meaning that the eldest child of the monarch, whether female or male, ascends to the throne.[6] Other kingdoms (such as the Netherlands in 1983, Norway in 1990, and Belgium in 1991) have since followed suit. Sometimes religion is affected; under the Act of Settlement 1701 all Roman Catholics are ineligible to be the British monarch and are skipped in the order of succession.
Appointment
Appointment by the current monarch is another system, used in Jordan. In this system, the monarch chooses the successor, who may or may not be a relative.
Monarchy and the military
In some cases the monarch's power is limited, not due to constitutional restraints, but to effective military rule. In the late Roman Empire, the Praetorian Guard several times deposed Roman Emperors and installed new emperors. The Hellenistic kings of Macedon and of Epirus were elected by the army, which was similar in composition to the ecclesia of democracies, the council of all free citizens; military service often was linked with citizenship among the male members of the royal house. Military domination of the monarch has occurred in modern Thailand and in medieval Japan (where a hereditary military chief, the shogun was the de facto ruler, although the Japanese emperor nominally ruled. In Fascist Italy a monarchy coexisted with a fascist party, as did Romania or Greece. Spain under Francisco Franco (was officially a monarchy, although there was no monarch on the throne. (Upon his death, Franco was succeeded as head of state by the Bourbon heir, Juan Carlos I.
The Future of Monarchy
Modern Era
In recent centuries many states have abolished the monarchy and becomes republics. At the start of the twenty-first century, 44 nations in the world had monarchs as heads of state, 16 of them Commonwealth realms that recognize Queen Elizabeth II as their head of state. A monarch may hold a variety of other positions. The English monarch also is Head of the Commonwealth, Supreme Governor of the Church of England, Duke of Normandy, Lord of Mann, and Paramount Chief of Fiji.
Notes
- ↑ John Bouvier and Francis Rawle. Bouvier's Law Dictionary and Concise Encyclopedia. (1914). ISBN 978-0899413358), 2237-2238. Retrieved February 19, 2009.
- ↑ Hillay Zmora. Monarchy, aristocracy and state in Europe. (Routledge. 2001. ISBN 978-0415150446).
- ↑ Other examples of joint sovereignty include Tsars Peter I and Ivan V of Russia and Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor and Joanna of Castile of the Crown of Castile. A current example of constitutional diarchy is Andorra.
- ↑ J.G. Frazer. (1900) The Golden Bough, A study in magic and religion. (Oxford University Press. 1998. ISBN 978-0192835413)
- ↑ J. Neville Figgis. (1896) The Theory of the Divine Right of Kings. reprint ed. (Kessinger Publishing, LLC. 2007 ISBN 978-0548289013)
- ↑ SOU 1977:5 Kvinnlig tronföljd, 16.
References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees
- Bouvier, John, and Francis Rawle. (1914)Bouvier's Law Dictionary and Concise Encyclopedia. Buffalo, NY: Hein, 1984. ISBN 978-0899413358
- Figgis, J. Neville. (1896) The Theory of the Divine Right of Kings. reprint ed. Kessinger Publishing, LLC. 2007 ISBN 978-0548289013
- Frazer, J.G. (1900) The Golden Bough, A study in magic and religion. Oxford University Press. 1998 ISBN 978-0192835413
- Hillay, Zmora. Monarchy, aristocracy and state in Europe. Routledge. 2001. ISBN 978-0415150446
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| | European & world crowns: | Crown of Bavaria · Crown of Christian IV (Denmark) · Crown of Christian V (Denmark) · Crown of Charlemagne (France) · Crown of Empress Eugenie (France) · Crown of Frederick I (Prussia) · Crown of Louis XV (France) · Crown of Napoleon (France) · Crown of Norway · Crown of Elisabeta (Romania) · Crown of Maria (Romania) · Crown of Wilhelm II (Prussia) · Crown of St. Stephen (Hungary) · Crown of St. Wenceslas (Czech lands) · Crown of the Polish Kingdom (Poland) · Kiani Crown (Iran/Persia) · Imperial Crown of Austria · Imperial Crown of Brazil · Imperial Crown of the Holy Roman Empire · Imperial Crown of Mexico · Imperial Crown of Russia · Iron Crown of Lombardy · Monomakh's Cap (Muscovy) · Royal Crown of Serbia · Royal Crown of Spain · Steel Crown of Romania · Pahlavi Crown (Iran/Persia) · Papal Tiara | | | | English, Scottish & British crowns (by chronology): | Crown of Scotland · St. Edward's Crown · Crown of Mary of Modena · State Crown of George I · Crown of Frederick, Prince of Wales · Coronation Crown of George IV · Crown of Queen Adelaide · Imperial State Crown · Small diamond crown of Queen Victoria · Crown of Queen Alexandra · Crown of George, Prince of Wales · Crown of Queen Mary · Imperial Crown of India · Crown of Queen Elizabeth · Crown of Charles, Prince of Wales | | | See also: | Coronation · Crown Jewels · Heir Apparent · Heir Presumptive · King · Monarchy · Queen · Regalia · Royal Family |
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