THE monarchy it was one of the first forms of government known to mankind.
Currently, 43 countries adopt the monarchy as a form of government.
Types of monarchy
Generally, we have the idea that the monarchy is a monolithic institution. But, in fact, there are several forms of monarchies such as:
- Parliamentary or Constitutional Monarchy – the powers of the monarch are clearly defined by the Parliament or the Constitution and hence the name. It consists in the sovereign being the Head of State and the Prime Minister the Head of Government. In this way, the monarch is the representative of national unity. Example: Spain, United Kingdom and Netherlands, among others.
- Absolute Monarchy – the king concentrates the powers to legislate and execute the laws, and often judge those who transgress them. Example: Saudi Arabia and Swaziland.
- Elective Monarchy – the choice of the monarch is made through an election between families or a Collegiate. Example: Vatican and Malaysia.
The King of Holland, William, speaks at the opening of the Parliament, accompanied by Queen Máxima, in 2015.
Features
The origin of monarchy dates back to the beginnings of humanity, when the first humans began to organize themselves into more complex societies.
To lead the different clans from external enemy attacks, the families began to choose a chief who would lead them into war and ensure peace.
In order for this power to be perpetuated, the leader chose the successor within his own family. Gradually, royal power was approaching supernatural/religious power as a way to justify and sustain the power of both spheres.
So, for example, we have the monarchies of the ancient egypt, when the pharaohs were considered as gods. Later, Roman emperors will receive titles of gods and worship after death.
Examples of Monarchy
Many countries have gone through the monarchic experience. Below are some examples where the monarchy was and is still living:
Monarchy in Ancient Rome
Roman history is divided into three periods: Monarchy, Republic and Empire.
About the first there is not much reliable documentation, but legends that are not always reliable as a historical source.
However, about the Empire, documentation abounds, as it was a period of great splendor.
Succession in the Roman Empire did not necessarily pass from father to son. The emperor could make one of his generals his successor.
Importantly, adoptive children had the same prerogative as natural children and could inherit the throne.
As the Empire expanded, Rome also experienced periods of diarchy and tetrarchy.
This means that two or four rulers came to rule at the same time in different regions of the Roman Empire.
read more:
- Ancient Rome
- Roman Empire
- Roman Emperors
Monarchy in Brazil
Brazil lived under a monarchic regime for 73 years if we consider the monarchy as a government regime since the elevation of Brazil to the category of United Kingdom of Portugal and Algarves in 1816.
After independence, Brazil continued with the monarchic regime, led by Dom Pedro I who was succeeded by his son, Dom Pedro II. The Brazilian monarchy was deposed by a republican coup in 1889.
Until today, the descendants of Dom Pedro II and Empress Tereza Cristina live in Brazil. In recent years, due to the political crisis that the country has been going through, some groups have returned to proposing the parliamentary monarchy as a form of government.
If Brazil had continued to be monarchical, the throne would have been occupied by Dom Luís Gastão de Orleans e Bragança.
Read more about:
- first reign
- second reign
English Monarchy
The English monarchy is undoubtedly the most popular on the planet. Not only because of her tradition, but because she knew how to adapt to each historical time in order to follow the throne.
Likewise, marriages and infidelities, dating and romantic breakups are the delight of English sensationalist newspapers and are reproduced all over the world.
Despite being popularly called the "Queen of England", it is always worth remembering that she is also Queen of Scotland, Ireland and Wales.
Today, Queen Elizabeth II is the Head of State of the United Kingdom and 20 other countries that make up the commonwealth (read below under "Monarchic Countries).
read more:
- English absolutism
- absolutist state
Spanish Monarchy
The Spanish monarchy was consolidated in the Iberian Peninsula through marriages, civil wars and, above all, political alliances.
However, Spain had two republican periods: the first in 1873-1874 and the second in 1930-1939.
From 1936-1939, the country experienced a civil war that culminated in the republican defeat and the establishment of the Franco dictatorship (1939-1974).
The monarchy returned in 1974 with the death of Franco and remains until today.
Currently, the Head of State of Spain is King Dom Felipe VI.
King Dom Felipe VI swears on the Spanish Constitution on the day of its proclamation in 2014.
read more:
- Spanish Civil War
- Franchise in Spain
French Monarchy
The French monarchy has gone through a troubled period since the death sentence of King Louis XVI and the Queen Marie Antoinette, during the French Revolution.
Napoleon reinstated the monarchy and installed himself on the throne as Napoleon I. Although his son died very young, the Bonaparte lineage continued with his nephews.
The Bourbon family would return to the French throne through King Louis XVIII who reigned from 1814-1824. His successor was his brother, Charles X, who reigned for six years, until the July Revolution, in 1830.
In the absence of heir princes of the House of Bourbon to replace Charles X, the throne passes to the Orleans family with Luís Felipe I (grandfather of Count D’Eu, husband of Princess Isabel).
After a crisis with parliament and citizens, Luis Felipe I resigns and France becomes a republic. The curious thing is that the first president to be elected by vote will be Napoleon Bonaparte's nephew.
With two years in the presidency, he maneuvers to restore the Empire, assumes the name of Napoleon III and reigns from 1852-1870. This year, because of the Franco-Prussian War, the Republic would be established and remains until the present day.
Currently, three houses claim the French throne: Bourbons, Orleans and Bonaparte.
read more:
- French Revolution
- Napoleonic Empire
- Franco-Prussian War
Differences between Monarchy and Republic
The main difference between the Monarchy and the Republic lies in the choice of the Head of State.
In the monarchy, the Head of State is generally a hereditary position and has no term limit.
While in the Republic, this function is occupied by someone elected by the citizens and with a mandate with a fixed duration.
know more:
- presidentialism
- parliamentarianism
monarchic countries
Currently 43 countries adopt the monarchy as a form of government. Of these, 20 belong to commonwealth and has the British sovereign as head of state.
THE commonwealth is an organization that brings together some of the former British colonies. They are independent and sovereign nations, but they maintain a special bond with the United Kingdom, prioritizing exports and facilitating immigration.
In return, these countries recognize the British monarch as their Head of State. Thus, the trips made by the British Royal Family to these countries are constant.
The countries that currently live under a monarchical regime are:
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Andorra
- Australia
- Bahamas
- Bahrain
- Barbados
- Belgium
- Belize
- Brunei
- Bhutan
- Cambodia
- Canada
- Qatar
- Denmark
- United Arab Emirates
- Spain
- Grenade
- Solomon Islands
- Jamaica
- Japan
- Jordan
- Kuwait
- Liechtenstein
- Luxembourg
- Malaysia
- Morocco
- monaco
- Norway
- New Zealand
- Oman
- Netherlands
- Papua New Guinea
- UK
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Swaziland
- Sweden
- Thailand
- tonga
- Tuvalu
- Vatican
know more:
- Parliamentary or Constitutional Monarchy
- Absolutism
- Democracy
- Forms of Government
- Formation of National Monarchies
- Plutocracy
- Aristocracy
- What is Policy?
