The Role of Monarchy in Modern Democracy: European Monarchies Compared

Description

Volume 27 in the series Hart Studies in Comparative Public Law How much power does a monarch really have? How much autonomy do monarchs enjoy? Who regulates the size of the royal family, their finances, the rules of succession? These are some of the questions considered in this edited collection on the monarchies of Europe. The book is written by experts from Belgium, Denmark, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden and the UK. It considers the constitutional and political role of monarchy, its powers and functions, how it is defined and regulated, the laws of succession and royal finances, relations with the media and the popularity of the monarchy. No new political theory on this topic has been developed since Bagehot wrote about the monarchy in The English Constitution (1867). The same is true of the other European monarchies. 150 years on, with their formal powers greatly reduced, how has this ancient, hereditary institution managed to survive and what is a modern monarch’s role? What is the role of monarchy in advanced democracies, and what lessons can the different European monarchies learn from each other? The public look to the monarchy to represent continuity, stability and tradition, but also want it to be modern, to reflect modern values and be a focus for national identity. The whole institution is shot through with contradictions, myths and misunderstandings. This book should lead to a more realistic debate about our expectations of the monarchy, its role and its future. Foreword Contents List of Contributors List of Figures and Tables PART I: DEFINING THE PROJECT 1. Genesis of the Book Survival of Monarchies in Europe No New Theory of Monarchy Since Bagehot The Structure of This Book 2. Monarchy in the Constitutional Texts Introduction Centrality of the Monarchy in the Constitution Powers of the Monarch Regulation of the Line of Succession Restrictions on the Monarchy Inviolability, and Autonomy PART II: MONARCHICAL FUNCTIONS 3. Constitutional Functions of the Monarchy 3.1. Introduction 3.2. Constitutional Functions of the Monarchy in the UK 3.3. The Monarch's Constitutional Functions in Denmark 3.4. The King and Public Power in the Minimalist Monarchy of Sweden 3.5a. Constitutional Functions in the Netherlands 3.5b. The Netherlands: From Personal Regime to Limited Role 3.6. Constitutional Functions in Belgium 3.7. Constitutional Functions in Norway 3.8. Luxembourg: Grand Duke Henri’s Refusal, in 2008, to Sign the Bill
Legalising Euthanasia 3.9. Spain: the Coup of February 1981 3.10. Conclusions 4. Day-to-Day Political Functions of the Monarchy 4.1. Introduction 4.2a. The King and the Government in the Netherlands 4.2b. Political Functions of the Dutch Monarchy 4.3. Day-to-Day Political Functions of the Monarch in Denmark 4.4. Day-to-Day Political Functions of the Monarchy in the UK 4.5. Political Functions of the Monarchy in Norway 4.6. Political Functions of the Monarchy in Sweden 4.7. Political Functions of the Monarchy in Belgium 4.8. Conclusions 5. Ceremonial Functions of Monarchy 5.1. Introduction 5.2. Monarchies and Religion in Europe 5.3. The Religious Dimension of Monarchy 5.4. Norway: Ceremonial Functions 5.5. European Royal Ceremonial Functions: Summary 5.6. Conclusions 6. Service and Welfare; and International Functions 6.1. Introduction 6.2. Welfare: The Feminisation of the British Monarchy 6.3. Service: How Monarchies have to be Seen to be Believed 6.4. State Visits Made and Received by the British and other European Monarchical Heads of State 6.5. State visits made and received by King Juan Carlos I and King Felipe VI of Spain 6.6. Conclusions PART III: REGULATING MONARCHY 7. Regulation of the Monarchy: Regulating the Size of the Royal Family,
the Line of Succession, and Royal Finances 7.1. Introduction 7.2. Defining a Royal House: Continental Monarchy and the Netherlands 7.3. Norway 7.4. Sweden 7.5. The UK 7.6. Gender Equality and the Line of Succession 7.7. Comparative Summary and Conclusions 8. Constraints on the Monarchy 8.1. Introduction 8.2. The Royal Family's Lack of Human Rights 8.3. Constraints on the Monarchy and Royal family in Sweden 8.4 Constraints on the Monarchy and Royal family in Norway 8.5. Education, Training and Career Choices of Heirs Apparent 8.6. Conclusions 9. The Monarchy, Public Opinion and the Media 9.1. Introduction 9.2. Modern Forms of Legitimisation of the Monarchy 9.3. Polls and Public Opinion 9.4. The Legitimacy of the Swedish Monarchy: the Different Perceptions of Parliamentarians, Journalists and the People 9.5. The Monarchy, 'Popularity', Legitimacy and the Media 9.6. Conclusions PART IV: CONCLUSIONS 10. Towards a New Theory of European Monarchy Introduction Reduction of the Monarch's Constitutional and Political Role Modern Monarchs Have No Political Power, and Only Limited Influence Tight Regulation of the Monarchy, its Size and Finances If these European Monarchs Have No Real Power, What is the Modern Monarchy For? What Conclusions Can We Derive About the Role of Monarchy in Advanced Democracies? Risks and Threats The Future for Monarchy Key findings Bibliography Table of Monarchs and their Close Families Index