Difference between revisions of "Monarchy"

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This articles deals with Monarchy as it relates to Nationstates. For more general information, please see the Wikipedia article on the subject.

A monarchy (from the Greek meaning one to rule) is a form of government that has a single individual claiming the title of monarch as Head of State.

Particularities of a monarchy

Generally speaking, a monarch is distinguished from other Heads of State because he (or she) rules for life, holds his office entirely or at least largely on account of his birth, is considered in some sense an to be imbued with or an embodiment of the national will, and is considered to have a special intrinsic dignity on account of his office.

The monarch comes from the nobility and is usually a King or an Emperor, but sometimes also of other titles, such as Grand Duke, Prince, et al.

The term monarchy is often used to refer to the people and institutions that make up the royal or imperial establishment and to refer to the institution of the royal establishment as distinct from other parts of the state.

In most monarchies, the monarch serves as a symbol of continuity, unity, and nationhood. Many monarchies are constituted by tradition or by codified law so that the monarch has little real political power, but in many others, the monarch holds substantial or even absolute power. In some cases, the symbolism of monarchy alongside the symbolism of democracy can lead to divisions over seemingly contradictory principles of sovereignty.

Monarchies are one of the oldest forms of government, going back to tribal chiefs. Traditionally, monarchs have been held to derive their authority from divine will, from being divine themselves, or from the acclaim of the aristocracy. However, in many constitutional monarchies, it is now held that the monarch ultimately rules by the consent of the people.

Forms of monarchies

Absolute

In absolute monarchies, the full extent of powers belongs to the Monarch which he may or may not delegate to other bodies of government. The decision lies solely with the Monarch and, thus, any other body of government derives its legitimacy from the Monarch, not from the people.

Absolute monarchies include the Dominion and Menelmacar.

Some monarchies are absolute by law or tradition, but are constitutional in practice. The monarch allows an elected legislative body to do most of the decision-making in the state despite having the power to make laws themselves at will. Pantocratoria and Adoki are both examples of monarchies which are legally absolutist but constitutional in practice.

Constitutional

In constitutional monarchies, the power of the monarch is limited by a set of laws or a constitution. Many constitutional monarchies leave the monarch only with ceremonial duties, some give the monarch great powers, even if the laws or the constitution still place limits upon such powers of the monarch while delegating other duties to distinct bodies.

Constitutional monarchies include Tarasovka, the Resurgent Dream, Excalbia, and Marlund.