Monarchy

= **Monarchy ** =

In a monarchical system of gernement power is given to a king or queen. An example of this is Great Britain (which is not authoritarian) or Saudi Arabia (which is authoritarian).

In **absolute monarchy** the monarch has total control and power over the country and citizens. Absolute monarchy came to be in the late Middle Ages from feudalism. The political theory that brings about absolute monarchy was the fact that the monarch had this position because of God and because of that did not have to answer to mortals. What seemed to make absolute monarchy so popular during the Middle Ages was that it seemed as if end wars and corruption by the aristocracy and therefore re establish the moral codes of the church.

Despite the good intentions of absolute monarchy monarchs usually found their power limited. For example, the English monarch in the 16th century there were regular struggles with Parliament and eventually the monarch lost.

After the French and American revolution the idea of an absolute monarchy declined as theories of government that was based on popular sovereignty became more and more popular.



As seen from the definition above a **monarchy** is a type of government is where there is a monarch and he or she is the leader of the country. What makes monarchies so different then other types of government is that he or she has their office for life and often times the office is passed on in families. Most countries that have a monarchy see it as a representation of stability and statehood. Also several of these countries have a strong rule against the monarch being involved in partisan politics.

Monarchies are one of the oldest forms of government, going all the way back to tribal chiefs. However, since 1800 many monarchies throughout the world have come to an end and have become either republics or parliamentary democracies. There are some democratic countries that have kept the monarchy by definition, but have limited the monarch’s power, therefore with most becoming constitutional monarchies. For example, in England this began in 1215 with the Magna Carta.

There are few situations where the monarchy is passed on in families, but the real power is exists in the military. How a monarch is chosen is different with each country. Some, as stated earlier, might be because they are the royal family and others by a law passed. Monarchies can end in a few ways. One way might be through a revolution and is overthrown as a result. Or there might be other situations where the voters decide a republic might be better.

Below is a list of current monarchies: Monarchical states as of 2003 include: Andorra (official title is "co-prince") Antigua and Barbuda* Australia, Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Christmas Island, Cocos Islands, Coral Sea Islands Territory, Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Norfolk Island and the Northern Territory.* The Bahamas* Bahrain Barbados* Belgium Belize* Bhutan (traditional title is "druk gyalpo") Brunei Darussalam (official title is "sultan") Cambodia Canada* Denmark, Greenland and the Faroe Islands Grenada* Jamaica* Japan (official title is "emperor") Jordan Kuwait (official title is "emir") Lesotho Liechtenstein (official title is "prince") Luxembourg (official title is "grand duke") Malaysia (official title is "paramount ruler") Monaco (official title is "prince") Morocco Nepal The Netherlands, the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba (Kingdom of the Netherlands) New Zealand, Cook Islands and Niue* Norway, Bouvet Island, Jan Mayen and Svalbard Oman (official title is "sultan") Papua New Guinea* Qatar (official title is "emir") Saint Kitts and Nevis* Saint Lucia* Saint Vincent and the Grenadines* Samoa (official title is "chief," traditional title is "o le Ao o le Malo") Saudi Arabia Solomon Islands* Spain Swaziland Sweden Thailand Tonga Tuvalu* United Arab Emirates (ruler is a monarch, yet is "president" of the Union) United Kingdom, Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, British Indian Ocean Territory, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey, Isle of Man, Montserrat, Pitcairn Islands, Saint Helena and Her Dependencies, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands and the Turks and Caicos Islands Vatican City (official title is "pope") http://www.politicsdefined.com/content/monarchy.htm

“… The advantages far outweigh any criticisms to the point that constitutional monarchy is simply the best choice. It benefits everyone, all society and all people. It promotes prosperity and wealth because it safeguards freedom and liberty and sustains and supports a rule of law. The point is, freedom is one of the greatest aspirations of all people in every nation. We want freedom from want and oppression. The freedom to realize one's highest and greatest potential. In general, no greater system of government has ever been devised than constitutional monarchy to promote such greatness. And interestingly, it is less expensive than an elective head of state, but the point is, it would be a bargain at ten times the price for the magnificent good that ultimately results from it…”

http://www.nobility-royalty.com/criticisms_and_benefits_of_monarchy.htm

The best way to be a good citizen under a monarchy is to be supportive of the monarch. Each monarchy is different from the next. Therefore, citizens must be willing to support and oblige to what is required of them to be a good citizen. If a citizen can help in the decision making process of the monarch he or she can get involved with that. If a citizen can make his or her voice heard on issues that are important to them they should do so in a respectful manner. In all decisions a monarch makes that effects the citizens, the citizens must realize that more often then not the monarch wants whats best for the people.