Monarchical Form of Government

Monarchical Form of Government

A monarchy is a form of government in which a group, generally a group of people representing a dynasty (aristocracy), embodies the country's national identity and its head, the monarch, exercises the role of sovereignty. The actual power of the monarch may vary from purely symbolic (crowned republic), to partial and restricted (constitutional monarchy), to completely autocratic (absolute monarchy).

Traditionally the monarch's post is inherited and lasts until death or abdication. In contrast, elective monarchies require the monarch to be elected. Monarchic rule was the most common form of government until the 19th century. It is now usually a constitutional monarchy, in which the monarch retains a unique legal and ceremonial role, but exercises limited or no official political power: under the written or unwritten constitution, others have governing authority. Currently, 45 sovereign nations in the world have monarchs acting as heads of state, 16 of which are Commonwealth realms that recognise Queen Elizabeth II as their head of state. See the monarchical forms of government below:

• Constitutional monarchy with a ceremonial/non-executive monarch, where a separate head of government leads the executive.
• Constitutional monarchy with a ceremonial monarch, but where royalty still hold significant executive and/or legislative power.
• Absolute monarchy where the monarch leads the executive.

Monarchy is one of the oldest kinds of government. Most historians agree that the first monarchies were tribes or small groups of people who decided to let a war-chief or other leader pass on their office to their children. This created a dynasty. Over time, the rules for deciding who got to become the next monarch became more complicated. Primogeniture is usual. The oldest son or, in some countries, daughter, becomes the next monarch when the old one dies.

The official portrait of Louis XIV of France. Hyacinthe Rigaud painted it around the year 1700. It shows Louis with all signs of power. He was King of France by the grace of God. Several absolute monarchs had their portraits made similar to this picture.

Kings and other kinds of monarchs have ruled for many thousands of years; for example, many kings are mentioned in the Bible and in ancient historical records. Three of the oldest countries with monarchs that still hold office are the United Kingdom, which has had the same British Royal Family for nearly 1,000 years, Denmark where the royal line has remained unbroken for almost 1,200 years, and Japan, which has records showing a line of Emperors dating back even farther.

Many monarchs today perform mostly the ceremonial jobs of a head of state, while the head of government, who is usually elected, passes and enforces laws. It is also very important in other parts of the country.

Succession

Today, there are three basic methods of choosing a new monarch, after the death of the old one; or after the old monarch has left power:

• There is an order of succession. Usually, someone from the same family will be the new monarch.
• A number of people elect the new monarch.
• The old monarch has appointed someone who will become the next monarch.

Of these three, the order of succession is the most common case. Countries, where the monarchs are elected include Malaysia, Cambodia, United Arab Emirates, and Vatican City.