Monarchy concept types. Modern monarchies of the world

MONARCHY - a form of right-leenia, under which the supreme power in go-su-dar-st-ve fully or partially comes-over-le-zhit od -no-mu li-tsu - mo-nar-hu (in a row de case-cha-ev mo-nar-ham-so-pra-vi-te-lam), ob-la-give-shch-mu su -ve-re-ni-te-tom and yav-lyayu-shu-sya object-ek-tom under-dan-st-va.

Us-ta-new-le-tion of the monarchy is-la-is-sya re-zul-ta-tom of the expansion of power of the right-vi-te-la (the leader of the ple-me-ni , soy-for ple-me, head-you ran-not-pol-tich iz-phenomenon-le-niya na-ro-da.

In ancient times, the monarchy adopted-ni-ma-la form-pre-property un-limited de-spo-tii (the most ha-rak-ter-na for go-su- the gift of the Tree-no-go V-sto-ka). The highest form of the monarchy in the antique world became imperial power in Ri-me. In the middle ages, the most pro-country form of right-leenia is so-words-but-pre-one-hundred-ve-tel-naya mon-nar-chiya ... At is-ho-de Middle-not-ve-ko-vya and at na-cha-le No-in-time-me-ni in Euro-ro-pe ut-verzh-da-et-sya ab-so -lut-naya monarchy (see Ab-so-lyu-tism, in Russia - samo-der-zha-vie).

The main mon-nar-chic ti-tu-ly: her-tsog, im-pe-ra-tor, prince, ko-role, tsar, etc., in the countries of Vosto-ka - sul-tan, khan , fa-ra-on, shah, emir, etc.

In the process of the century of ka-pi-ta-listic societies, the monarchy in many countries was overthrown and replaced on the res-pub-li-kan-sky form of right-lening (see Res-pub-li-ka) whether-bo trans-for-mi-ro-wa-las in the constitutional monarchy ... In a number of countries (Russia, Germany, Av-st-ro-Hungary, etc.), the monarchy pa-la in re-zul-ta-te re-vo-lu-tions. One of the forms of monrachia is theo-kra-tia, which has received the ras-propagation from ancient times and keeps until our days.

More often than not, the monarchical power of us-ice-st-ven-naya, when for-mi-ru-is-Xia di-na-stiya, but does not ex-key-cha-yut- Xia and you-bo-ry mon-nar-ha, in particular, when interrupting the di-na-sti. Su-shchest-vu-yut three rows-ka-next-to-va-niya: se-nyo-rat-ny (pre-table on-next-du-et eldest in the ro-du), may-orat-ny (pre-table on-next-to-the eldest son of mon-nar-ha) and on-next-to-va-tion according to the right-woo per-rod-st-va ( pre-table pe-re-goes to ni-kho-dya-shch-m-st-vu in one line - his eldest son is following him, and he is - if he died earlier than his father, then his eldest son, she-line-nii pre-table pe-re-goes to the eldest pre-st-vi-te-ly following the eldest-shin-st-vu line).

In the system, the pre-stop-lo-on-the-following in the wi-si-bridging from the rights of women, the following types of -mo-ge-ni-tu-ry: sa-li-che-sky (for example, Japan), when the throne is mon-nar-ha can-gut for-ni-mother only-to-husband-ch- us; kas-til-skaya (Is-pa-nia, etc.), when to-che-ri za-ni-ma-yut the throne, if u po-koi-no-go or from-ryok-she -go-sya from pre-st-la mon-nar-ha there is no sy-no-wei (while the youngest son has a pre-imu-sh-in before the eldest to-che- ryu); av-st-rii-sky, to-start-up-tsar-st-in-va-ni-si-ni, if in op-re-de-len-ni-ko-le-ni -yah di-na-sti, there is no man-rank (long-but not-me-nya-et-sya); scan-di-nav-skaya (Sweden, etc.), us-ta-nav-li-vayu-s-t-nav-li-vayu-sh-t-in the rights of women and men-rank to the throne by right-woo first in-kind-st-va.

In the con-sti-tu-ts-he-noy monarchy accepted-nya-that con-sti-tu-tion and dey-st-vu-et par-la-ment. Kon-sti-tu-tsi-on-naya monarchy has two different types: the monarchy of dua-li-sti-che-sky and the monarchy of par-la-men-tar-naya.

In the first yuri-di-che-ski su-shch-st-woo-there are two centers of power (from-sy-da - dua-li-sti-che-sky): the monarch is no longer from-yes-it-is-con-us, they take-no-ma-et par-la-ment, but the management of go-su-dar-st-vom goes to ru- kah mon-nar-ha (for example, Ior-da-niya, Ku-veit, Ma-rock-ko). He na-know-cha-et pra-vi-tel-st-in (co-vet, ka-bi-no mi-no-st-ditch), and it is from-vet-st-ven-but only before him, but not before par-la-ment. Besides, the monarch is right from-let-vat the indicated for-to-no-da-tel-st-in (decree, dec-re-you, re-sk-rip -ty, etc.), which has no less, but actually more power than the law. Dua-li-sti-che-monarchy su-shche-st-in-va-la in the countries of Eu-ro-py and individual go-su-dar-st-vakh Asia (Ne-pal, Tai-land , Japan) during the transition from the ab-lute monarchy to par-la-ment-tar-noy or, predominantly, par-la-ment-tar-noy.

In the par-la-ment-tar-noy monarchy, the righteous party is righteous, be-divine at the choices in par-la-ment: the righteous-wit-tel-st-in for-mi -with this party (block-com of parties, having most of the-shin-in-par-la-men-te) and not-set-vet-vein-ness before par-la-men-tom, but not before mo-nar-hom. Mo-narh dei-st-vu-et "on co-ve-tu" pra-v-tel-st-va (pre-mier-min-ni-st-ra), for action-st-viya mon-nar -ha, according to the management, go-su-dar-st-vom does not-set from-vet-st-ven-ness of the right-to-win-tel-st-in. Par-la-men-tar-ny-mi monarchies are almost all monarchic countries of Eu-ro-py, Japan, monarchy countries So -mother-same-st-va.

In some countries, monarchies can take on special forms.

Greek - autocracy): a political system based on the exclusive legal power of one person. Monarchy is the oldest and most stable type of political organization in history.

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MONARCHY

one of the forms of monocracy is one-size-fits-all and the name of the state system, at the head of which is the monarch. Monarchy differs from other forms of monocracy (dictatorship, presidential rule, party leaderism) by hereditary (dynamic) continuity of power (throne, crown) and family-related filling of the political environment.

The cultural and historical basis of the origin of the monarchy was the socio-biological mechanism of leaderism - the appearance in the human group, which lived according to the norms of herd animals, the leader and the hierarchy of his subordinate environment. Subsequently, such a leader headed the tribe, then the union of tribes, pre-state and state formations, and gradually the idea of the country and the people as the property of the sovereign took shape.

The monarchy is in historical opposition to republican statehood and competes with republican democracy, but it can be combined with monarchist democracy, that is, with the most ancient forms of tribal, military, veche (in the Russian principalities), urban (polis) democracy (mixed rule, according to Aristotle) ... The historical meaning of the dilemma "monarchy - republican democracy" political philosophy ancient Greece, was explained as a problem of number in politics: the movement from 1 to many (Plato. Republic, 291d, 302c). The movement is from 1 to functional, between monarchy and democracy are all other types of state structure, 1 and these are extremes, therefore, in history, they either displaced each other or combined with each other. In the Romanesque and medieval traditions, the tradition of the titularity of the monarchy, that is, the rule entrusted to the monarch by the people - the true owner of power and law, was firmly retained. The early feudal monarchies did not yet possess all the power that they were forced to share with the tribal leaders and communal self-government in the cities, often their functions were limited to the leadership of military operations (the elected kings of the German tribes, novgorod princes in Russia). In the East and Europe, by the beginning of the New Age, the monarchy gradually absolutely prevailed and took on the complete form of absolutism (in Europe) and autocracy (in Russia) in the process of historical concentration and centralization of power. Absolutism received a theoretical foundation in the concept of monarchical sovereignty in the works of I. Sanin (The Enlightener, 1503) and J. Boden (Six Books about the Republic, 1576). Monarchy as a form of government gradually fell into decay. This process began from the end. 18th century and continued throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. Monarchies were either replaced by a republican system, or took mixed forms (constitutional, democratic, parliamentary), which significantly limited the powers of the monarch, and often reduced the role of the monarch in the state to pure representation.

1) the form of the state; 2) a form of government in which the supreme state power is concentrated in the hands of one head of state - the monarch and will be inherited.

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MONARCHY

from the Greek. monos - one, arche - beginning) is a form of government in which the functions of the head of state are transferred according to the principle of inheritance.

It is believed that monarchy as a form of government appeared in the most ancient tribal societies simultaneously with a change in the method of inheritance of the totem sign - the more ancient mode of inheritance through the female line was replaced by transmission through the male line, as indicated by some myths, as well as studies of the social structure of some modern tribes standing on the lowest stages of social development.

Monarchy is the oldest form of government. The basis of monarchical rule was initially the sacred opportunity for the monarch to communicate with the other world and other taboo (sacred, forbidden) opportunities, and the most ancient monarchical power was reduced not to management in the current sense, but to the implementation of certain restrictions, which were of a ritual nature and sometimes very strict. So, in ancient Egypt during the first dynasties, the main duty of the pharaohs was to participate in ritual processions, and the main function was to notify about the beginning of the flood of the Nile; in the XI-XIV centuries. The emperor of Japan had to sit for several hours in the throne room completely motionless every morning, for the slightest movement of him threatened to disrupt the harmony in the state, wars, floods, fires and other disasters. Whole line restrictions, especially during hostilities, were imposed on the Irish kings, and in Cambodia, where there was a king of fire and a king of water, the restrictions imposed on them were so heavy that during the XVI-XIX centuries. (that is, all the time while this process was observed by various missionaries-colonizers) monarchs were appointed literally by force. The same thing is happening today in some tribes of equatorial Africa.

It was the exorbitant restrictions imposed on the monarch that led to the separation of the sacred and administrative functions, and, passing to the priestly estate, the sacred function put the priests socially higher than the monarchs, as evidenced, for example, by the caste structure of Indian society, where the caste of Brahmins stands above the caste. kshatriyas, or the formal supremacy of the Pope over the kings of medieval Europe.

However, the partially sacred function of monarchical power has survived to this day, as evidenced by the associated ubiquitous ritual (protocol), originally created to hinder direct communication ordinary people with monarchs (taboo and threat to life) and allowing only communication through intermediaries (priests, ministers). Suffice it to recall the method of direct appeal to the monarch in the form of a "petition" that existed in Russian society, which was carried out with strict observance of ceremonial (protective) actions, such as: falling to your knees, bowing your head to the ground as a sign of great fear of possible consequences and, in fact, "Banging with the forehead".

Depending on the principle of inheritance of power, the monarchy can be dynastic, clan and elective.

A tribal monarchy is probably one of the most ancient types of monarchical structure, since it carries the largest number features associated with an archaic sacred function. Its meaning boils down to the fact that only a member of a certain clan, possessing a certain sacred power, that is, actually possessing great authority, can become a monarch. A similar way was characteristic of the pre-Columbian states of Central and South America, as well as numerous tribes in Africa, Australia and Oceania. A somewhat similar type of monarchy existed in Ancient Greece, iv Ancient Rus.

The dynastic monarchy probably originated in ancient Egypt. It is characterized by the transfer of power from father to son or to another close relative(for example, to a brother, as it was in Ancient Russia). This is the most common type of monarchy that has survived and still exists, for example, in Great Britain, Monaco, Denmark, Sweden, Japan (where the Mikado dynastic branch has never been suppressed in more than a thousand-year history of the country) and in some other countries.

The emergence of an elective monarchy is associated with the refusal of applicants to voluntarily take the place of the monarch, at least in this form (when the monarch is elected by a council of elders, often by force), it exists in some tribes in Africa and Polynesia. However, an elective monarchy was practiced from time to time in ancient Greece, in Ancient rome, in Byzantium, in Poland and even in Russia, where monarchs were elected several times (repeatedly in Novgorod and then twice in the time of troubles in Moscow).

but this way succession to the throne proved to be unviable. Such monarchies, completely devoid of a sacred component, either tend to regain it, acquiring dynastic features (as was the case in Ancient Rome, where the consular method of government led to the restoration of the once lost dynastic system), or, on the contrary, give way to democracy, where the ruler belongs to has no specific blood crucial(as in Novgorod, where the monarch was elected mainly for the duration of the war or for other tactical reasons). The France of Napoleon I and Napoleon III provides us with excellent examples of both processes.

The historical varieties of monarchies include patriarchal or traditional monarchies (characteristic of traditional societies); sacred monarchies, or theocracies (where the primary functions of the monarch are priestly or spiritual: for example, Ancient Egypt, the Islamic Caliphate); despotic monarchies emerging in militarized societies (Assyria, Ancient Armenia, Mongol horde); estate and estate-representative monarchies (for example, pre-Petrine Russia); absolute monarchies based on the delegation of power to the bureaucracy in the absence of aristocratic and democratic institutions (France in the 17th century); constitutional monarchies that implement the principles of "social contract" and separation of powers and limit the king's power by the constitution; autocratic, or autocratic monarchies, in which the monarch is absolutely sovereign and is the sole source of laws, and the state functions in interaction and cooperation (symphony) with the Church (Byzantium, Russian Empire).

Like any other form of government, the monarchy has its own merits and demerits. Among the advantages of the monarchy is the independence of the monarch (after all, in the event of an election, the head of state owes his election to a power or financial group, which means that during the reign he will defend the interests of this group, and not the people as a whole, which is not the case under the monarchy). In addition, the special legal position of the monarch, which makes it possible to quickly make important decisions, for example, to quickly abolish a harmful law, pardon a convicted person, etc. ").

The rule of law (sovereignty) of a monarch is a quality especially valuable during periods of wars and other crises. One-man management is in such cases an unconditional blessing. It should be noted, however, that almost all democratic states have a mechanism for delegating extraordinary powers to presidents or other authorized persons at such special moments.

The most important advantage of the monarchy is its symbolic component. The monarch as a symbol of the unity of the nation, as its conscience, redeemer and defender, as a person with the highest authority and trust, carries a tremendous ideological meaning and thereby opens the way for important nationwide achievements, for mass enthusiasm, for patriotism, for heroic deeds.

IA Ilyin writes about the fundamental basis of his subjects' trust in the monarch - their confidence that the monarch "puts himself before the face of God and himself measures his deeds and decisions by the criteria of divine revelation." In this trust, the king and the people are united, placing themselves in the judgment of history.

Monarchy is an important instrument of unification and a symbol of unity, in particular, because of its ability to preserve the informality of relations between the monarch and the subject. In Russia, even referring to the landowner as "you" (as demanded by the early XIX centuries French form), the Russian peasant continued to address the tsar "on you". Unlike democracies, which are characterized by frequent changes in government, the monarchy assumes that the person invested with supreme power will be guided in his actions not by concern for the upcoming elections, but by responsibility before God, history and the people.

Another important function of the monarch, as a person standing above the law, is the function of the supreme judge, who can punish, but can also pardon, regardless of the gravity of the crime. This seemingly insignificant function turned out to be so important that the exclusive powers of pardon fell within the competence of many elected presidents of the republics. Its echoes can be found in the division of English law into actually 2 branches: the Court of the King and the Court of Honor, which is a consequence of the attempt to oppose the court "by law" (the court of honor) to the court of "justice" (the court of the king).

The advantage of the monarchy is the ability to effectively promote the most talented people to leadership positions. In republican systems, the head of state will inevitably fear competition from a talented minister or general, and therefore hold him back. The monarch, by virtue of his position, does not participate in competitive relations, and in addition, he himself is interested in promoting talented people to preserve the dynasty and country. Moreover, the monarch is also the guarantor of the presence of opposition in society. He has nothing to fear from the "freedoms of the people", since they do not threaten him in any way. If they do not encroach on the change of the monarchical system itself, then criticism of the government can be regarded as an important positive function, and the opposition can always find protection from the monarch against the use of "administrative resources" by the government.

The monarch is also a measure of the idealized ideas of society about honor and dignity, about loyalty and duty, about the highest values, adherence to which is a sign of a highly spiritual life of a person. As for the negative features of the monarchy, its main drawback is in itself, in its basic principle - the principle of succession to the throne. For if democracy implies at least the theoretical possession of outstanding qualities by the head of state, then the monarch may not necessarily possess them. And this despite the fact that he is invested with supreme power, which turns not only a tyrant and usurper, but also ordinary mediocrity into a great disaster for the people.

The supra-legal and supra-class position of the monarch, being an indisputable boon in the period of wars and other upheavals, in a peaceful period can become a source of evil for the citizens of the state. Byzantine historian Michael Psellus reports that Basil II's half-brother, also Basil, was castrated by his own brother in order to forestall possible claims of a relative to the throne. The historian reports this in such a way that we have no doubt that the actions of the emperor were dictated by the highest state considerations, since there is no most important state consideration for the monarchy than to preserve the throne.

However, the opposition of dynastic interests to the interests of the state had more serious consequences in history: it is enough to recall the dynastic wars in Ancient China and Ancient Rome, the Fronde and the Revolution in France, the Revolution and Restoration in England (not to mention the Hundred Years War and the War of the Scarlet and White Roses). It was the primacy of dynastic interests over the interests of the people that led to the involvement of Russia in the First world war and the subsequent fall of the empire.

The monarchy is often compared to "strong presidential power." However, for all the similarities (broad powers, the right to pardon, the supreme command), there are a number of very significant differences between the monarchy and the presidential republic.

The President does not stand above the law and, being one of the sources of law, theoretically has the same rights as other citizens. The president is not an object of the sacred sphere and therefore, as it were, delegates some of the functions back to the people, creating a field for greater freedom: freedom of activity or freedom of conscience.

The President is not a measure of nobility and morality, leaving the solution of ethical issues to the conscience of every citizen and turning them into personal ones.

The temporality of the president’s stay in power, as it were, shifts the emphasis of his activities from lawmaking to law enforcement and implementation. And the opportunity for everyone to become the head of state or at least to take part in elections, as well as their regularity, makes political processes less painful. After all, the only way the people can get rid of the king is rebellion, and rebellion is the highest calamity for the state.

Probably due to the listed shortcomings, the monarchy, especially in its absolute manifestations, is now giving way to the republican mode of government.

Approximately 40 states in the world (about 20% of all states) are monarchies. However, due to its merits, in constitutional forms it still exists in many developed countries (including such as Japan, Great Britain, Spain, Denmark, Sweden, the Netherlands, Belgium, etc.), where it takes over the functions that are being lost. for many reasons, local religious institutions, that is, performing a ceremonial and symbolic role designed to serve as the embodiment of ideal public ideas about morality and intangible values, about patriotism.

In Russia, the number of supporters of the restoration of the monarchy is steadily growing. According to the latest data, about 20% of Russians consider such a measure to be a blessing for the country.

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Exist in the modern world? Where on the planet are countries still ruled by kings and sultans? Look for answers to these questions in our article. In addition, you will learn what a constitutional monarchy is. Examples of countries with this form of government can also be found in this publication.

The main forms of government in the modern world

To date, two main models are known government controlled: monarchical and republican. By monarchy we mean a form of government in which power belongs to one person. It can be a king, emperor, emir, prince, sultan, etc. Second distinctive feature monarchical system - the process of transferring this power by inheritance (and not by the results of popular elections).

Today there are absolute, theocratic and constitutional monarchies. Republics (the second form of government) are more common in the modern world: there are about 70% of them. The republican model of state governance presupposes the election of the supreme authorities - the parliament and (or) the president.

The most famous monarchies of the planet: Great Britain, Denmark, Norway, Japan, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates (UAE). Examples of republican countries: Poland, Russia, France, Mexico, Ukraine. However, in this article we are only interested in countries with a constitutional monarchy (you will find a list of these states below).

Monarchy: absolute, theocratic, constitutional

Monarchist countries (there are about 40 in the world) are of three types. It can be a theocratic, absolute and constitutional monarchy. Let's consider briefly the features of each of them, and dwell on the latter in more detail.

In absolute monarchies, all power is concentrated in the hands of one person. He makes absolutely all decisions, realizing the internal and foreign policy of their country. The clearest example of such a monarchy is Saudi Arabia.

In a theocratic monarchy, power belongs to the highest ecclesiastical (spiritual) minister. The only example of such a country is the Vatican, where the Pope acts as the absolute authority for the population. True, some researchers attribute Brunei and even Great Britain to theocratic monarchies. It's no secret that the Queen of England is also the head of the church.

A constitutional monarchy is ...

A constitutional monarchy is a model of government in which the power of the monarch is substantially limited.

Sometimes he may be completely deprived of supreme powers. In this case, the monarch is only a formal figure, a kind of symbol of the state (as, for example, in Great Britain).

All these legal restrictions on the power of the monarch, as a rule, are reflected in the constitution of a particular state (hence the name of this form of government).

Types of constitutional monarchy

Modern constitutional monarchies can be parliamentary or dualistic. In the first, the government is formed by the country's parliament, to which it is accountable. In dualistic constitutional monarchies, ministers are appointed (and removed) by the monarch himself. The parliament only has the right of some vetoes.

It is worth noting that the division of countries into republics and monarchies sometimes turns out to be somewhat arbitrary. Indeed, even in the most certain, certain aspects of the continuity of power (the appointment of relatives and friends to important government posts) can be observed. This applies to Russia, Ukraine and even the United States.

Constitutional Monarchy: Country Examples

Today, 31 states of the world can be attributed to constitutional monarchies. A third of them are located in Western and Northern Europe. About 80% of all constitutional monarchies in the modern world are parliamentary, and only seven are dualistic.

All countries with a constitutional monarchy are listed below (list). The region in which the state is located is indicated in brackets:

Luxembourg (Western Europe).
Liechtenstein (Western Europe).
Principality of Monaco (Western Europe).
Great Britain (Western Europe).
Netherlands (Western Europe).
Belgium (Western Europe).
Denmark (Western Europe).
Norway (Western Europe).
Sweden (Western Europe).
Spain (Western Europe).
Andorra (Western Europe).
Kuwait (Middle East).
UAE (Middle East).
Jordan (Middle East).
Japan (East Asia).
Cambodia (Southeast Asia).
Thailand (Southeast Asia).
Bhutan (Southeast Asia).
Australia (Australia and Oceania).
New Zealand (Australia and Oceania).
Papua New Guinea (Australia and Oceania).
Tonga (Australia and Oceania).
Solomon Islands (Australia and Oceania).
Canada (North America).
Morocco (North Africa).
Lesotho (South Africa).
Grenada (Caribbean).
Jamaica (Caribbean).
Saint Lucia (Caribbean).
Saint Kitts and Nevis (Caribbean).
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (Caribbean).

All of these countries are marked in green on the map below.

Is a constitutional monarchy an ideal form of government?

There is an opinion that the constitutional monarchy is the guarantee of the stability and prosperity of the country. Is it so?

Of course, a constitutional monarchy is not able to automatically solve all the problems that arise before the state. However, she is ready to offer society a certain political stability. Indeed, in such countries, the constant struggle for power (imaginary or real) is absent a priori.

The constitutional-monarchical model has a number of other advantages. As practice shows, it is in such states that the world's best social security systems have been built. And we are talking here not only about the countries of the Scandinavian Peninsula.

You can take, for example, the same countries of the Persian Gulf (UAE, Kuwait). They have much less oil than in the same Russia. However, over several decades, from poor countries, whose population was exclusively engaged in grazing livestock in oases, they were able to turn into successful, prosperous and well-established states.

The most famous constitutional monarchies in the world: Great Britain, Norway, Kuwait

Great Britain is one of the most famous parliamentary monarchies on the planet. (as well as formally another 15 countries of the Commonwealth) Queen Elizabeth II speaks. However, one should not think that she is a purely symbolic figure. The British Queen has a weighty right to dissolve Parliament. In addition, it is she who is the commander-in-chief of the British forces.

The Norwegian king is also the head of his state, according to the Constitution, which has been in effect since 1814. To quote this document, then Norway is "a free monarchical state with a limited and hereditary form of government." Moreover, initially the king had broader powers, which gradually narrowed.

Kuwait is another parliamentary monarchy since 1962. The role of the head of state here is played by the emir, who has broad powers: he dissolves parliament, signs laws, appoints the head of government; he also commands the troops of Kuwait. It is curious that in this amazing country women are absolutely equal in their political rights with men, which is not at all typical for the states of the Arab world.

Finally

Now you know what a constitutional monarchy is. Examples of this country are present on all continents of the planet, except for Antarctica. These are gray-haired prosperous states of old Europe, and the young richest

Can we say that the most optimal form of government in the world is precisely the constitutional monarchy? Examples of countries - successful and highly developed - fully confirm this assumption.

Over the course of many centuries, in almost the entire civilized world, power was organized according to the type of monarchy. Then the existing system was overthrown by revolutions or wars, but still there are states that consider this form of government acceptable to themselves. So, what are the types of monarchy and how do they differ from each other?

Monarchy: concept and types

The word "μοναρχία" existed in ancient greek and meant "autocracy". It is easy to guess that the monarchy in the historical and political sense is a form of government in which all or most of the power is concentrated in the hands of one person.

Monarch in different countries called differently: emperor, king, prince, king, emir, khan, sultan, pharaoh, duke and so on. The transfer of power by inheritance - feature, which distinguishes the monarchy.

The concept and types of monarchies is an interesting subject for historians, political scientists and even politicians to study. A wave of revolutions, starting with the Great French Revolution, overthrew such a system in many countries. However, in the 21st century modern species monarchies successfully continue to exist in Great Britain, Monaco, Belgium, Sweden and other states. Hence, there are numerous disputes on the topic of whether the monarchical system limits democracy and whether such a state can in general develop intensively?

Classic signs of monarchy

Numerous types of monarchy differ from each other in a number of ways. But there are general provisions that are inherent in most of them.

There are examples in history when some types of republic and monarchy so closely bordered on each other. political structure that it was difficult to give the state an unambiguous status. For example, the Rzecz Pospolita was headed by a monarch, but he was elected by the Diet. Some historians call the controversial political regime of the Republic of Poland - gentry democracy.

Types of monarchy and their signs

There are two large groups of monarchies that have formed:

according to the restrictions of monarchical power;
taking into account the traditional structure of power.

Before examining in detail the signs of each of the forms of government, it is necessary to determine existing species monarchy. The table will help you to do this clearly.

Absolute monarchy

Absolutus - translated from Latin as "unconditional". Absolute and constitutional are the main types of monarchy.

Absolute monarchy is a form of government in which unconditional power is concentrated in the hands of one person and is not limited to any state structures. This method of political organization is similar to a dictatorship, since in the hands of the monarch there may be not only the entire completeness of military, legislative, judicial and executive power, but even religious power.

In the era of the Enlightenment, theologians began to explain the right of one person to solely control the fate of an entire people or state by the divine exclusivity of the ruler. That is, the monarch is the anointed of God on the throne. The religious people sacredly believed in this. There are cases when people came to the walls of the Louvre. certain days terminally ill French. People believed that by kissing the hand Louis XIV, they will receive the desired healing from all their illnesses.

Exists different types absolute monarchy. For example, absolute theocratic is a type of monarchy in which the head of the church is also the head of state. The most famous European country with this form of government - the Vatican.

A constitutional monarchy

This form of monarchical government is considered progressive, since the ruler's power is limited to ministers or parliament. Main types constitutional monarchy- dualistic and parliamentary.

In a dualistic organization of power, the monarch is given executive power, but no decision can be made without the approval of the relevant minister. The parliament retains the right to vote on the budget and pass laws.

In a parliamentary monarchy, all levers of government are actually concentrated in the hands of parliament. The monarch approves the candidacies of ministers, but they are nominated anyway by the parliament. It turns out that the hereditary ruler is simply a symbol of his state, but without the approval of the parliament he cannot make a single important state decision. In some cases, parliament can even dictate to the monarch on what principles he should build his personal life.

Ancient Eastern monarchy

If we parsed in detail the list describing the types of monarchy, the table would begin with the ancient Eastern monarchical formations. This is the first form of monarchy that appeared in our world, and it had peculiar features.

The ruler in such state formations was appointed the leader of the community, who was in charge of religious and economic affairs. Serving the cult was one of the main duties of the monarch. That is, he became a kind of priest, and organizing religious ceremonies, interpreting divine signs, preserving the wisdom of the tribe - these were his primary tasks.

Since the ruler in the eastern monarchy was in the minds of the people directly connected with the gods, he was given quite wide powers. For example, he could interfere in the intra-clan affairs of any family and dictate his will.

In addition, the ancient Eastern monarch monitored the distribution of land among his subjects and the collection of taxes. He established the amount of labor service and duties, led the army. Such a monarch always had advisers - priests, noble people, elders.

Feudal monarchy

The types of monarchy as a form of government have transformed over time. After the ancient Eastern monarchy, primacy in political life took a feudal form of government. It is divided into several periods.

The early feudal monarchy emerged as a result of the evolution of slave states or the primitive communal system. As you know, the first rulers of such states were generally recognized military commanders. Relying on the support of the army, they established their supreme power over the peoples. To strengthen his influence in certain regions, the monarch sent his governors there, from whom the nobility was subsequently formed. The rulers did not bear any legal responsibility for their actions. There were practically no institutions of power. The ancient Slavic state - Kievan Rus - fits this description.

After a period of feudal fragmentation, patrimonial monarchies began to form, in which large feudal lords inherited not only power, but also lands to their sons.

Then, for some time in history, there was an estate-representative form of government, until most states turned into absolute monarchies.

Theocratic monarchy

Types of monarchy, differing in their traditional structure, include in their list and theocratic form of government.

In such a monarchy, the absolute ruler is the representative of the religion. With this form of government, all three branches of government pass into the hands of a clergyman. Examples of such states in Europe have survived only on the territory of the Vatican, where the Pope is both the head of the church and the state ruler. But in Muslim countries, there are slightly more modern theocratic-monarchical examples - Saudi Arabia, Brunei.

Types of monarchy today

The flame of the revolution failed to eradicate the monarchy throughout the world. A similar form of government has survived in the 21st century in many respected countries.

In Europe, in the small parliamentary principality of Andorra, as of 2013, two princes ruled at once - François Hollande and Joan Enric Vives y Sicilla.

In Belgium, since 2013, King Philip has ascended the throne. A small country with a smaller population than Moscow or Tokyo is not just a constitutional parliamentary monarchy, but also a federal territorial system.

Since 2013, the Vatican has been headed by Pope Francis. The Vatican is a city-state that still has a theocratic monarchy.

Queen Elizabeth II has ruled the famous parliamentary monarchy of Great Britain since 1952, and Queen Margrethe II has ruled in Denmark since 1972.

In addition, the monarchical system has survived in Spain, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, the Order of Malta, Monaco and many other countries.