MONARCHY-BY JESSE

MONARCHY

A monarchy is a form of government in which supreme power is absolutely or nominally lodged with an individual, who is the head of state, often for life or until abdication. The person who heads a monarchy is called a monarch. It was a common form of government in the world during the ancient and medieval times.

Hereditary is the most common rule. Although it can be elective such as the Pope.

Currently over 40 countries are monarchies.

Monarchies have existed throughout the world, although in recent centuries many states have abolished the monarchy and become republics.

In a constitutional monarchy, the monarch is largely a figurehead subject to a constitution.

A constitutional monarchy is a form of government in which a monarch acts as head of state within the parameters of a written or unwritten constitution. The state and is not legally bound by any constitution.

Most constitutional monarchies hire a parliamentary system in which the monarch is the ceremonial head of state and a directly or indirectly elected prime minister is the head of government and exercises effective political power.

Some Contemporary constitutional monarchies are Australia, Belgium, Canada, Japan, Malaysia, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Thailand and the United Kingdom.

France, several times during the 19th century. Napoleon Bonaparte proclaimed himself Emperor of the French in what was a constitutional monarchy.

The most well known family of constitutional monarchies in the world today is that of Elizabeth II. Elizabeth II is the monarch of sixteen Commonwealth countries. Unlike some of their continental European counterparts, the Monarch and her Governors-General in the Commonwealth Realms hold significant reserve or prerogative powers, to be wielded in times of extreme emergency or constitutional crises usually to uphold parliamentary government. An example of a Governor General using his power was during the 1975 Australian constitutional crisis, when the Australian Prime Minister of the time, Gough Whitlam, was fired from his position. This led to a lot of speculation as to whether this use of the Governor General's reserve powers was appropriate, and whether Australia should become a republic.


Bibliography
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monarchy
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constitutional_monarchy
http://www.royal.gov.uk/

By Jesse white