Why are there still monarchy in other countries?

Question

Do they actually rule their country or are they just dolls to keep tradition?

Answer 1

Saudi Arabia and Nepal are the only monarchies I can think of that actually wield some power. I'm sure there are other countries which have them. Saudi Arabia's is not to be messed with. Jordan's King is losing power by the day and Syria's is a dupe.
The current purpose for most monarchies, i.e. the U.K., is the people LIKE them. Yes, tourism is important, but if England were to do away with the Queen and then, most likely, Prince William, it would change the face of the country immensely. It would no longer BE the United Kingdom and the world will have lost something.
Let's also consider the Kennedy's, the Bushes, et al. There is American "nobility" and always will be.

Answer 2

In most European cases they are just tradition - but also to make sure there is a non-attached and un-biased image standing above the fuzz of political parties.

In a country as Belgium at one point the conservatives will win, or then the socialists and then the liberals, the french speakers will get more power, then the dutch speakers, and so on... so with a king that has to be un-attached each of the groups can have someone to turn to. Thus creating a real need for the tradition.

This obviously does not go for the Saoudi's who are real rulers of the country.

Answer 3

In some countries, such as the United Kingdom, the monarchy is kept for tourism. Swarms of tourists enjoy seeing the Queen riding a horse, and will pay money for it. In other countries, such as Jordan or Thailand, the monarchies are still very powerful, and rule their countries well because that is what they have been trained from birth to do. However, it is safe to say that outside primitive tribal areas, there are no more absolute monarchies- people don't trust their rulers enough to give them full reign (pardon the pun).

Answer 4

I don't know if there are any absolute monarchs left. Maybe the Sultan of Brunei? Constitutional monarchy, as in England and Denmark, don't let the monarchs rule but they do have some say in the affairs of state, while the Prime Minister or Premier is the real head of state with a parliament or diet
as representatives of the people.

Answer 5

Why does monarchy still exist? Obviously, there haven't been enough revolutions yet! As for whether they're rulers or figureheads, that depends on the country. In the UK, the monarch is just a show dog. They have no real government function, except that the PM still presents his resignation to them, but that's just a formality, kind of like the VP of the US presiding over the Senate, but at least HE gets to vote if it ever ends in a tie. In the UK, the monarch NEVER gets to vote, so they have no real power whatsoever. Now the King of Saudi Arabia, on the other hand, is a real ruler. He's not only a monarch, but an absolute monarch, whose word is quite literally law. So like I said, how much power they have depends on where they are.

Answer 6

yes and they are as you said dolls to keep tradition
for example England has a king queen royal family but they have no actual political power England is politically controlled by a prime minister

Answer 7

There are still wars fought over the question (Nepal Civil War).

In Belgium, we keep at it to keep the country together (complex explanation); that, and because it's cheaper than a presidency.

Answer 8

The people are not allowed to elect their own head of state, as in republics.

Answer 9

Most are ceremonial, but I think their are some that still govern.

Answer 10

Cant be worse than bunch that was voted in..anywhere