Monarchy – SS1 Government Lesson Note (Second Term)

Monarchy is a system of government in which a king or queen is the head of state, and sometimes of government as well.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. Define monarchy.
2. Distinguish between constitutional and absolute monarchy, with examples.
3. State the merits of monarchy.
4. State the demerits of monarchy.
5. List the characteristics of monarchy.

What is monarchy?

Monarchy is rule by one person, called a monarch, who holds office for life and usually inherits it.

• Head of state: the monarch represents the country at home and abroad.
• Absolute rule: in some countries the monarch is the sole ruler with unlimited authority.
• Limited rule: in other countries the monarch has little real power and the constitution sets the limits.
• Nigerian link: Nigeria is a republic, but traditional rulers such as the Sultan of Sokoto and the Oba of Benin hold hereditary titles in their communities.

What key terms are used in the study of monarchy?

What titles do monarchs hold?

Monarchs hold titles such as king, queen, emperor, tsar, sultan and emir.

• King or queen: the common titles, as in Britain and Saudi Arabia.
• Emperor: a monarch who rules a large empire.
• Tsar: the title of the old Russian monarchs, such as Tsar Nicholas II.
• Sultan and emir: titles used in many Muslim-majority states, for example Kuwait (an emirate).

How does a monarch come to the throne?

A monarch usually comes to the throne by hereditary succession, that is, by birth into a ruling family.

1. A ruling monarch dies or leaves the throne.
2. A member of the royal family takes over according to the rules of succession.
3. In many cases the eldest son or daughter inherits the throne.
4. In some traditional Nigerian communities, kingmakers pick a successor from eligible members of the ruling families.

What are the forms of monarchy?

There are two main forms of monarchy: constitutional monarchy and absolute monarchy.

Constitutional monarchy

A constitutional monarchy is a monarchy in which the monarch has limited power under a constitution.

• Meaning: the monarch has limited power and authority.
• Source of power: the powers of the monarch come from the constitution.
• Role: the monarch is mainly a ceremonial head of state.
• Examples: Britain, Morocco, Jordan and Kuwait.

Absolute monarchy

An absolute monarchy is a monarchy in which the monarch has unlimited power.

• Meaning: the monarch has absolute or unlimited power.
• Source of power: the monarch rules by divine right. The constitution does not give or limit the power.
• Examples: Tsar Nicholas II of Russia and King Khaled of Saudi Arabia.

How do the two forms compare?

What are the merits of monarchy?

The merits of monarchy are the advantages of having a single hereditary ruler.

1. Unity and orderliness: power is vested in a single ruler, so the political system stays united and orderly.
2. Quick decisions in emergencies: the monarch need not consult anyone before acting.
3. Harmonisation: it helps to bring different interests together and prevent social strife.
4. Custodian of tradition: the monarch is a historical and spiritual figure who protects the customs of the people.
5. National loyalty: obedience to the monarch is seen as obedience to God.
6. Protection: the king or queen may serve as the protector of the people.

What are the demerits of monarchy?

The demerits of monarchy are its weaknesses as a system of government.

1. No popular sovereignty: monarchy does not accept that power belongs to the people.
2. Despotism: a monarch may keep the people weak so that they cannot resist the ruler.
3. Passive citizens: divine right makes subjects passive participants in politics.
4. No elections: most public officials are not elected.
5. Exclusion of talent: competent citizens outside the royal family may be left out of government.

What are the characteristics of monarchy?

The characteristics of monarchy are the features that mark it out from other systems of government.

1. Ownership of government: the authority and powers of the state rest on the king.
2. Hereditary: succession to the throne is by birth.
3. Checks and balances: in a constitutional monarchy, the constitution checks the ruler.
4. No separation of powers: executive and legislative powers, and sometimes judicial powers, are concentrated in the reigning monarch.
5. No constitutional limitation: in an absolute monarchy, the ruler has no constitutional limits.
6. Possible despotism: a monarch may be despotic and unwilling to change.
7. Shared tradition or religion: some monarchies are closely tied to a common religion or tradition, as in Saudi Arabia.
8. Use in emergencies: monarchy may be adopted to deal with emergencies.

Evaluation

1. Define monarchy.
2. State the difference between a constitutional monarchy and an absolute monarchy.
3. Give two examples of constitutional monarchies.
4. List three merits and three demerits of monarchy.
5. Explain why a monarch can respond to emergencies more easily than other rulers.

Assignment

1. List five characteristics of monarchy and explain each in one sentence.