Skip to main content

Is monarchy possible in a democratic country?

Monarchy is possible in a democratic state, but of course this depends on the monarch and the democratic body.  The best example of a monarchy-democracy blend would be Great Britain.  Elizabeth II reigns as a figurehead.  She has little actual political power.  The real power of state resides with the Prime Minister and the Houses of Parliament, of which the Lower House is elected by the people.  


Monarchy and democracy used to be on...

Monarchy is possible in a democratic state, but of course this depends on the monarch and the democratic body.  The best example of a monarchy-democracy blend would be Great Britain.  Elizabeth II reigns as a figurehead.  She has little actual political power.  The real power of state resides with the Prime Minister and the Houses of Parliament, of which the Lower House is elected by the people.  


Monarchy and democracy used to be on opposite ends of the spectrum, however--there was an idea called "divine right" where the king/queen ruled because he/she was God's secular sovereign on Earth.  Under this system there might be an elected body, such as the Duma under Nicholas II in czarist Russia, but it was only an advisory committee and the ruler could do whatever he/she wanted.  This theory has largely fallen out of favor, however, due to many countries enacting reforms to give the people more of a say in their political futures.  Also, absolutist monarchies have often ended badly in history when the royal hereditary line fails to produce an heir or the heir is incompetent to rule.  

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What is the meaning of "juggling fiends" in Macbeth?

Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a... Macbeth is beginning to realize that the three witches have been deceiving him since he first encountered them. Like jugglers, they have kept changing their forecasts in order create confusion. This is particularly apparent when the Second Apparition they raise in Act IV,   Scene 1 tells him that no man of woman born can overcome him in hand-to-hand battle--and then Macbeth finds himself confronted by the one man he has been avoiding out of a sense of guilt, and that man tells him: Despair thy charm. And let the angel whom thou still hast serve...
Post a Comment
Read more

Discuss movements that were inspired by the Civil Rights Movement and list one success for each group.

African-Americans contributed in a very big way during World War II. These contributions were demonstrated at home and on the battlefield. After the war, African-Americans properly felt it was time for them to achieve equality with white Americans. During the 1950's, the modern Civil Rights Movement was born and it had a number of successes (integration of the military and Brown vs. Board of Education as examples.) This success inspired other activists to demand change... African-Americans contributed in a very big way during World War II. These contributions were demonstrated at home and on the battlefield. After the war, African-Americans properly felt it was time for them to achieve equality with white Americans. During the 1950's, the modern Civil Rights Movement was born and it had a number of successes (integration of the military and Brown vs. Board of Education as examples.) This success inspired other activists to demand change for their agendas. Two examples of moveme...
Post a Comment
Read more

What are some tensions between men and women in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar?

Julius Caesar is a largely male-driven play. Calpurnia and Portia are the two main female characters, and they are both wives of major characters. Calpurnia is Julius Caesar’s wife. She makes public appearances with him, but there may be some awkwardness between them because of her inability to have children. He publicly tells Antony to touch Calpurnia to cure her of barrenness when he runs the Lupercal, a “holy race” and fertility festival. Calpurnia has... Julius Caesar is a largely male-driven play. Calpurnia and Portia are the two main female characters, and they are both wives of major characters. Calpurnia is Julius Caesar’s wife. She makes public appearances with him, but there may be some awkwardness between them because of her inability to have children. He publicly tells Antony to touch Calpurnia to cure her of barrenness when he runs the Lupercal, a “holy race” and fertility festival. Calpurnia has nightmares about Caesar’s death. She claims that she is not naturally super...
Post a Comment
Read more