Absolute and Constitutional Monarchies
TLDRThis video script explores the enduring presence of monarchies in the 21st century, with a focus on the distinction between absolute and constitutional monarchies. It delves into the roles and powers of modern kings and queens, the advantages and disadvantages of these systems, and the unique ways in which various nations integrate their monarchs into contemporary governance. The lesson highlights the importance of monarchies in maintaining national identity and tradition while navigating the complexities of modern democracy.
Takeaways
- 👑 Monarchies still exist in the 21st century, with 44 nations maintaining kings and queens as part of their governance.
- 🏛 The majority of monarchies, 34 out of 44, are hereditary, while 3 are elected and 7 use a combination of heredity and election.
- 🌏 Geographically, monarchies are spread across Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, and Africa, with none in South America as of 2021.
- 👥 Monarchs have various titles such as king, queen, sultan, pope, prince, Emir, emperor, grand duke, and grand master.
- 🏆 Monarchies are broadly categorized into Absolute Monarchies and Constitutional or Parliamentary Monarchies.
- 👑 Absolute Monarchies, where one person holds most power, are rare, with only 7 existing today, predominantly in the Middle East.
- 📜 Constitutional or Parliamentary Monarchies limit the monarch's power through a constitution and parliamentary checks, with 37 out of 44 countries using this system.
- 🎖️ Many constitutional monarchies reduce the monarch's role to a ceremonial figurehead, with 30 out of 37 fitting this description.
- 🏛️ Advantages of constitutional monarchies include maintaining national identity, acting as a check on politicians, and existing outside of partisan politics.
- 🚧 Disadvantages include slow decision-making, potential for unrepresentative systems, the need for public vigilance against corruption, and the financial burden of maintaining a royal family.
- 🌐 There is significant variation in how monarchies operate, even within the same type, with some retaining significant power and others having limited or ceremonial roles.
Q & A
What is the definition of a monarchy according to the script?
-A monarchy is a political system where supreme authority is vested in a monarch, who is an individual ruler functioning as the head of state, embodying and upholding the highest ideals, traditions, and customs of a nation.
What does the term 'Head of State' signify in the context of a monarchy?
-In the context of a monarchy, 'Head of State' refers to the quintessential symbol and first citizen of a nation, who is in charge of representing and upholding the highest ideals, traditions, and customs of the people.
How many monarchies are currently in existence worldwide?
-There are currently 44 monarchies still in existence.
How are the monarchs in most of the existing monarchies chosen?
-Out of the 44 monarchies, 34 have monarchs who ascend to their position by way of a family line and are therefore chosen by heredity.
Which countries elect their monarchs through a voting process?
-Vatican City, Malta, and Malaysia are the countries that elect their next leader through a process of voting.
What are the two broad categories of monarchies as mentioned in the script?
-The two broad categories of monarchies are Absolute Monarchies and Constitutional or Parliamentary Monarchies.
What is an Absolute Monarchy and how many exist today?
-An Absolute Monarchy is a system where one person, usually a king or queen, holds all or most of the executive and decision-making power over a nation. There are 7 absolute monarchies existing today.
What is the difference between a Constitutional Monarchy and a Parliamentary Monarchy?
-Both Constitutional and Parliamentary Monarchies involve a constitution and a parliamentary assembly that check the power of the monarch. The difference lies in the specific structure and balance of power within the government, though the terms are often used interchangeably.
How many of the existing monarchies have a monarch with only a ceremonial role?
-Out of the 37 constitutional monarchies, 30 of them designate the monarchy into merely a ceremonial role.
What are some of the advantages of having a Constitutional or Parliamentary Monarchy?
-Some advantages include maintaining a revered symbol of national pride, retaining a representative form with democratic institutions, and the monarch acting as a check on politicians, while also helping to maintain national identity and customs.
What are some of the disadvantages associated with a Constitutional or Parliamentary Monarchy?
-Disadvantages include slow decision-making due to majority requirements, the potential for unrepresentative plurality systems, the burden of preventing corruption falling on the populace, and the financial burden of maintaining the royal family.
Outlines
👑 Introduction to Modern Monarchies
This paragraph introduces the concept of modern monarchies, challenging the notion that kings and queens are relics of the past. It outlines that many nations have retained their royal figures while adapting to modern governance structures. The video aims to define absolute and constitutional monarchies, identify current nations with monarchies, and discuss the pros and cons of constitutional parliamentary monarchies. Bryan, the host, sets the stage for an exploration of these topics, which include the roles, powers, and the global distribution of monarchs.
🌍 Distribution and Types of Monarchies
This section delves into the geographical distribution of the world's 44 remaining monarchies, highlighting their concentration in Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, and Africa, with none in South America. It explains the methods of monarch ascension, including heredity, election, and a combination of both. The paragraph further categorizes monarchies into absolute and constitutional or parliamentary forms, providing examples of each and noting the variations in how these systems operate across different countries.
🏛️ Ceremonial and Executive Roles in Monarchies
The paragraph discusses the roles of monarchs in constitutional monarchies, where many are reduced to ceremonial figures, while a few retain executive powers. It emphasizes the advantages of this system, such as maintaining national pride and identity, and the monarch's potential to act as a check on political processes. However, it also acknowledges the disadvantages, including slow decision-making, the risk of unrepresentative political systems, the burden of corruption, and the financial implications of supporting royal families.
🔍 Varieties of Modern Monarchical Governance
This part of the script examines the diverse ways in which modern monarchies function, from the limited roles of Scandinavian and Benelux monarchs to the significant powers retained by those in Liechtenstein and Monaco. It also touches on unique cases like the United Kingdom Commonwealth, religious monarchies, and nations with unconventional monarchical structures, such as Eswatini's diarchy and the Religious Order of Malta. The paragraph concludes by emphasizing the ongoing relevance of monarchies in the 21st century and encourages viewers to engage in civic activities.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Monarchy
💡Absolute Monarchy
💡Constitutional Monarchy
💡Head of State
💡Heredity
💡Elected Monarch
💡National Identity
💡Ceremonial Role
💡Advantages and Disadvantages
💡Representative Democracy
💡Spiritual Leader
Highlights
Even in the 21st century, kings and queens still hold power in some countries.
Many modern nations maintain monarchies while adopting more modern governmental forms.
Few countries allow their monarchs the same breadth and depth of power as in the past.
There are 44 monarchies worldwide, with varying degrees of monarch involvement in governance.
Of the 44 monarchies, 34 ascend to their position by heredity, 3 are elected, and 7 use a combination of both.
Absolute Monarchies are rare, with only 7 existing today, characterized by a single ruler with significant power.
Constitutional or Parliamentary Monarchies limit the monarch's power through a constitution and parliamentary checks.
37 of the 44 countries use a constitutional monarchy, with 30 designating the monarch to a ceremonial role.
Monarchies can provide stability and continuity, acting as a symbol of national pride and identity.
Monarchs can exist outside of politics, potentially acting as a check on political leaders.
Monarchies can be a burden on the populace through taxes to maintain the royal family's wealth and status.
Democracies with monarchies can suffer from slow decision-making due to majority requirements in law passing.
Monarchies can help maintain national identity and customs while allowing for democratic freedoms.
Different monarchies have unique forms of governance, from ceremonial roles to significant executive powers.
Examples of unique monarchies include Eswatini with a diarch system and the Vatican City with an elected Pope.
Monarchies are not relics of the past but continue to be a part of the modern political landscape.
Transcripts
Browse More Related Video
Mongolia: Rise and fall of an empire | DW Documentary
Liberty in a Cold Climate with Niall Ferguson (1 of 2)
Medieval Europe: A Complete Overview
Developments in EUROPE [AP World History Review—Unit 1 Topic 6]
What's a Dictatorship? | Politics on Point
How Did The Joseon Dynasty Reign In Korea For 500 Years? | The Mark Of Empire (Full Episode)
5.0 / 5 (0 votes)
Thanks for rating: