How can you have a democratic monarchy..?

Question

It's a contradiction in terms! are the royal family more equal than the rest of us... it's completely insane.

Answer 1

We have a Constitutional Monarchy. Its relationship with Government, which is where our democracy lies, is complex. It isn't insane, because the Monarchy has many reserve powers to prevent an over powerful Government trying to turn us into a totalitarian state. That is why we have "Her Majesty's Armed Forces", again, in order to prevent a military take over. Some of the powers held by the crown eg, the right to sign treaties, has been given to the Prime Minister by Royal Prerogative. I understand that Gordon Brown is to hand back some of these powers. Quite right too, considering Blair unilaterally signed the recent EU Treaty without giving us the promised referendum, or even putting it to Parliament.

Our Constitution is far too complicated to explain on here. It has evolved over a thousand years, it works, and it isn't completely insane. A Constitutional Monarchy is important in terms of what it prevents over-powerful Governments from doing, rather than what it is empowered to do itself. That won't stop anti-Monarchists who don't understand how it works from continuing to speak against it, however.

Answer 2

Not really so insane.

There are monarchies that are elected, and that makes them democratic, and under a Constitutional Monarchy, such as in the UK, where the monarch does not make the laws, there is also the possibility of a democratic system.

Democracy is only about the people choosing their own government from amongst themselves. It has very little to do with choosing a monarch who does not govern.

If you are concerned, you might like to think about a "democracy" in which the people do NOT choose their leader, but have him/her appointed by a party rather like the old communist systems used to do. Did you have a chance to vote for the new British Prime Minister?

Answer 3

An hereditary Head of State, although having little power, provides a country with a steadfast protection against tyranny. The Royal Assent and the right to dissolve parliament ensure that a government that materially abused its power could be dismissed from office and an election called.
If elected or appointed, a Head of State would have been selected for compliance with a particular set of views and be vulnerable to financial, political and personal pressure.

Answer 4

You could live under the rule of George W. Bush..now that would be a nightmare that you never wake up from....eight years of a never ending nightmare with a monkey running the country...

The monarchy is a tradition, you did vote for prime minister did you not?

Answer 5

Its just a token monarchy really Our Queenie give s way to the democratic vote but she is still head of state and can technically still overturn any government decision.
But the old goose just watches from the sidelines but she does have a audience with the prime minister once week like he goes to the head to explain what naughty things hes done this week.,

Answer 6

A Constitutional monarchy, which is what we have in Britain, is when the Monarch is a figure head with nominal but not real power. All decisions are taken by democratically elected legislatures. The monarch HAS to sign into law all laws they pass. If he/she doesn't then we chop off their heads!

Answer 7

Democracy as is safety is always a matter of compromise, So yes you can have a constitutional Monarch who can dissolve parliament. What you can not have is a democratic Dictatorship

Answer 8

democratic or constitutional as opposed to absolute monarchy. But you're right, the royals do need more power if they're going to hold the title.

Answer 9

Well, they have no real power & they can't vote. They're a bit pointless but by no means the biggest waste of money in the country.

Answer 10

That'll be when the Royal family are just for decoration.