Definition

Noun: A system of government in which a monarch (such as a king or queen) serves as the head of state within the framework of a parliamentary democracy. In this system, the monarch's powers are largely symbolic and ceremonial, while real political power is exercised by an elected parliament and a government (typically a prime minister and cabinet) drawn from and accountable to that parliament.

Usage

The term is used to describe the constitutional structure of a nation-state. It specifies that the country is both a monarchy (with a hereditary sovereign) and a parliamentary democracy (where the executive derives its legitimacy from the legislature).

Examples

• The United Kingdom is a classic example of a parliamentary monarchy.
• In a modern parliamentary monarchy, the monarch's role is often defined by tradition and constitutional law.
• Several European nations, like Sweden and Norway, function as parliamentary monarchies.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often contrasted with an absolute monarchy, where the monarch holds supreme authority, and a presidential republic, where an elected president is both head of state and head of government.
• The concept of a "constitutional monarchy" is very closely related and often used interchangeably with "parliamentary monarchy." However, a constitutional monarchy can, in theory, have a different system for the executive branch (e.g., one not directly responsible to parliament).

Variants and Related Words

• Constitutional Monarchy (n): A broader term for a monarchy where the sovereign's powers are limited by a constitution. A parliamentary monarchy is a specific type of constitutional monarchy.
• Parliamentary Democracy (n): A system of government where the executive branch is accountable to the legislature (parliament). A parliamentary monarchy incorporates this democratic system.

Synonyms

• Constitutional monarchy (in its common modern usage)
• Crowned republic (an informal term emphasizing the limited power of the monarch)

Antonyms

• Absolute monarchy
• Presidential republic
• Dictatorship

Noun

1. a monarchy having a parliament