Constitutional Monarchy - Executive Monarchy Versus Ceremonial Monarchy

Executive Monarchy Versus Ceremonial Monarchy

There exist at least two different types of constitutional monarchies in the modern world - executive and ceremonial. In executive monarchies, the monarch wields significant (though not absolute) power. The monarchy under this system of government is a powerful political (and social) institution. By contrast, in ceremonial monarchies, the monarch holds little actual power or direct political influence.

Executive monarchies: Bhutan, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Morocco, Tonga, United Arab Emirates.

Ceremonial monarchies: Andorra, Belgium, Cambodia, Denmark, Japan, Lesotho, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, United Kingdom and Commonwealth realms.

Ceremonial and executive monarchy, should not be confused with democratic and non-democratic monarchical systems. Cambodia has a ceremonial monarchy, yet its political system is not democratic. By contrast, Liechtenstein and Monaco are considered democratic states, yet the ruling monarchs in these countries wield significant executive power.

Read more about this topic:  Constitutional Monarchy

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