Republic Versus Monarchy
Definition of a Monarchy
The Macquarie Dictionary defines a "Monarchy" as:
"A government or state in which the supreme power is actually or nominally lodged in a monarch (known as an absolute or despotic monarchy when the monarch's authority is not limited by laws or a constitution, and as a limited or constitutional monarchy when the monarch's authority is so limited)",
and defines "Monarch" as:
"A hereditary sovereign with more or less limited powers, as a king, queen, emperor, etc". Another definition is given as: "A sole and absolute ruler of a state".(1)
Historically, Monarchs took many forms, obtained their status in many ways, and derived their power from different sources. The old idea of Monarchy maintained that the power of the Monarch was absolute, and sometimes held that the Monarch was responsible only to God (the doctrine of "the Divine Right of Kings"). Revolutions, particularly in England and France, destroyed much of the power of the Monarchs, resulting in the eventual development of limited or constitutional Monarchies (in which the Monarch's duties are largely ceremonial and symbolic).(2)
Republic Versus Monarchy
Australian Nationalism Information Database - www.ausnatinfo.angelfire.com
