Constitutional Monarchies and the Netherlands
Constitutional Monarchies and the Netherlands
Constitutional monarchies go by a few different names, absolute monarchy, kingship, limited monarchy, monarchical government, and also as queenships (New World Encyclopedia 2009). Constitutional monarchies do vary from one country to another, but there are a few characteristics that make them similar. The differences are mainly attributable to differing culture and circumstances. Legitimation, levels of authority, exercise of power, role, and responsibilities, and succession were determined mainly through historical age and native culture rather than by desires and preference of the ruler (New World Encyclopedia 2009). As time went on and civilization advanced, noblemen, elected officials, foreign influences, and the satisfaction of the ruled subjects had a great deal of influence over the shape and character of the institution (New World Encyclopedia 2009). Even when this transition the reigning monarchs were still considered absolute authorities (New World Encyclopedia 2009). Monarchs were considered the civil counterpart to religious leaders, such as priests, shamans, sorcerers, and prophets (New World Encyclopedia 2009). This separation and division of authority between these two spheres sometimes created tension and conflict (New World Encyclopedia 2009). When there wasn’t any tension or conflict though, the unity between the two created a strong base for the populace, and the state was generally prosperous under these conditions (New World Encyclopedia 2009). Constitutional monarchies’ most distinct feature is that they are ruled by a monarch who is limited by a constitution, whether it be written, uncodified, or a blended constitution (New World Encyclopedia 2009). Even in the case of uncodified or blended constitutions, there is still a similar level of constraint placed on the monarch as formal constitutional rules (New World Encyclopedia 2009). The monarch acts as the Head of State, and is
Constitutional monarchies go by a few different names, absolute monarchy, kingship, limited monarchy, monarchical government, and also as queenships (New World Encyclopedia 2009). Constitutional monarchies do vary from one country to another, but there are a few characteristics that make them similar. The differences are mainly attributable to differing culture and circumstances. Legitimation, levels of authority, exercise of power, role, and responsibilities, and succession were determined mainly through historical age and native culture rather than by desires and preference of the ruler (New World Encyclopedia 2009). As time went on and civilization advanced, noblemen, elected officials, foreign influences, and the satisfaction of the ruled subjects had a great deal of influence over the shape and character of the institution (New World Encyclopedia 2009). Even when this transition the reigning monarchs were still considered absolute authorities (New World Encyclopedia 2009). Monarchs were considered the civil counterpart to religious leaders, such as priests, shamans, sorcerers, and prophets (New World Encyclopedia 2009). This separation and division of authority between these two spheres sometimes created tension and conflict (New World Encyclopedia 2009). When there wasn’t any tension or conflict though, the unity between the two created a strong base for the populace, and the state was generally prosperous under these conditions (New World Encyclopedia 2009). Constitutional monarchies’ most distinct feature is that they are ruled by a monarch who is limited by a constitution, whether it be written, uncodified, or a blended constitution (New World Encyclopedia 2009). Even in the case of uncodified or blended constitutions, there is still a similar level of constraint placed on the monarch as formal constitutional rules (New World Encyclopedia 2009). The monarch acts as the Head of State, and is
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