Criticism of monarchy

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Criticism of monarchy has occurred since ancient times. It can be targeted against the general

.

Monarchies in

Loyalists

and expel all royal officials.

In contemporary times, monarchies are present in the world in many forms with different degrees of royal power and involvement in civil affairs:

• Absolute monarchies in Brunei, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Eswatini, the emirates of the UAE, and the Vatican City;
• The Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, Jordan, and the United Arab Emirates
  .

The twentieth century, beginning with the 1917

.

Historical Criticism

Enlightenment

Aristotle taught that monarchy was only suitable for populations that lacked the ability to govern themselves, and believed that power ought to be shared within populations generally made up of equals. ^[1] He also felt that it was easier to corrupt one individual than a multitude. ^[2] Aristotle further criticized monarchies for tending to become hereditary, which to him carried the undue risk of conferring power on someone incapable and bringing ruin to the nation. ^[3]

During the

During the Italian Renaissance, Niccolò Machiavelli espoused views on monarchy largely in agreement with those of Aristotle.^[6] Machiavelli considered republics to be more flexible and adaptable than monarchies to varying circumstances and necessities, providing as an example the different characters of the men who rose to power in the Roman Republic during different stages of the Punic Wars. ^[7]

The establishment of a republican government under the Commonwealth of England inspired a number of English works attacking the institution of monarchy.

James Harrington espoused his republican ideals through The Commonwealth of Oceana in 1656. Harrington argued that the sovereignty must naturally follow economic influence, and that monarchy was the result of one man dominating ownership of land. He advocated the redistribution of property and an establishment of an assembly of landowners to be periodically replaced by elections. He warned that a failure to redistribute property would lead to a restoration of an oligarchic monarchy. ^[8]

John Milton also published a republican essay during this time characterizing monarchy as "a government burdensome, expensive, useless and dangerous." ^[9]

The Dutch-Jewish philosopher Baruch Spinoza held a preference for democratic over monarchical institutions.^[11] He believed all monarchies amounted to legal fictions because no single human being was capable in reality of holding and exercising all of the power implied by sovereignty.^[11]

During the

.

In the early nineteenth century, the English utilitarian philosopher Jeremy Bentham argued that "the only good act which a monarch was capable of accomplishing was to abolish his own office.".^[16] Bentham viewed monarchy as an absurd institution which had established itself through force of custom, noting that "almost all men are born under it, all men are used to it, few men are used to anything else; till of late years nobody ever dispraised it." ^[17]

The leading nineteenth century Italian statesman Giuseppe Mazzini who was also a prominent republican. Against Italian monarchists, he argued that a republic was more in line with Italian tradition. ^[18]

In the early twentieth century, the British Liberal academic and statesman James Bryce contested the notion that monarchy tended to produce stable and capable rulers, arguing from historical example that most hereditary European monarchs for the previous five centuries had been mediocre. ^[19]

Criticism of existing monarchies

The selection of

. Several royal families are criticized in the world and their legitimacy challenged for example:

Bahrain

The Bahraini protests were initially aimed at achieving greater

Belgium

A Belgian association, the Republican Circle, launched the petition "Abolition of Monarchy in Europe" to the attention of the European Parliament in March 2008, highlighting what they perceive as the incompatibility of the monarchy with several international declarations: Universal Declaration of Human Rights, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.

Canada

Debate between monarchists and republicans in Canada has been taking place since before

.

Japan

Morocco

The legitimacy of King Mohammed VI was contested by some in the February 20 Movement of 2011 that attempted to challenge the monarchic system for the first time in the modern history of this country.

Netherlands

Criticism of the Netherlands monarchy has been on the rise in recent years, with notable shifts in public opinion and legal challenges aimed at reducing the king's powers. According to a survey, support for the monarchy as an institution has decreased, with a notable decline in the percentage of people in favor of the royal family. In 2020, 75% of respondents supported the monarchy, but this number dropped to 58% in the following year. There has also been a noticeable increase in the number of people expressing a desire for the Netherlands to transition into a republic, with almost a quarter of respondents favoring this change. In a significant legal development, Dutch activists have taken the king to court, aiming to demonstrate that his role in the legal system violates European human rights conventions. This legal action reflects a broader sentiment of criticism and a push for reduced royal powers. In addition, historical context shows that criticism of the monarchy and royalty has been present in Dutch society for decades, with notable debates and legal regulations surrounding the act of insulting the king.^[26][27][28]

Norway

Saudi Arabia

In August 2012, the Swedish Defense Minister

family and calls for prisoners held without charge or trial to be released. In early 2012, protestors chanted slogans against the House of Saud and Minister of Interior Nayef, calling Nayef a "terrorist", "criminal" and "butcher".

Spain

The Spanish monarchy has faced significant criticism and scrutiny in recent years, with concerns spanning various aspects of its role and impact on Spanish society and politics. Issues such as the role of the monarchy in modern Spain, the conduct of past monarchs, and the relevance of a hereditary leadership system have been sources of debate and critique. A particular point of contention has been the conduct of former King Juan Carlos I, leading to public disillusionment and calls for reform. Additionally, the suitability of the monarchy in a modern, democratic society has been questioned, with discussions on the potential transition to a republic gaining traction. These criticisms have led to a deeper examination of the monarchy's place in Spanish governance and society, reflecting broader discussions on the country's political future.^[31][32][33]

Sweden

The debate over the monarchy's relevance in modern Sweden has been a recurring topic, with discussions on the role of the monarchy in a modern, egalitarian society. The question of whether Sweden should remain a monarchy was a central issue in a constitutional reform project that began in 1954, with the Social Democratic Party advocating for a republic and conservative parties supporting the monarchy. While the monarchy enjoys significant popular support, there are still calls for its abolition, reflecting a divide in public opinion. In addition, the monarchy's survival ultimately depends on the continuing support of the people, as it may seem contrary to democratic principles.^[34][35][36]

Thailand

United Kingdom

The issue of the

]

See also

• Abolition of monarchy
• Democratization
• Republicanism

References

Sources

• Blythe, J.M. (2019). "Ptolemy of Lucca". Encyclopedia of Medieval Philosophy. Dordrecht: Springer.
• Bryce, James (1921). Modern Democracies. Vol. 2. New York: The MacMillan Company.
• Costelloe, B.F.C.; Muirhead, J.H. (1897). Aristotle and the Earlier Peripatetics. Vol. 2.
• Dunning, William Archibald (1921a). A History of Political Theories: Ancient and Medieval.
• Dunning, William Archibald (1921b). A History of Political Theories: From Luther to Montesquieu.
• Durant, Will (1957). The Reformation.
• Durant, Will (1963). The Age of Louis XIV.
• Fisher, H.A.L. (1911). The Republican Tradition in Europe.
• Hazen, Charles (1919). Modern European History.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Charter of Fundamental Rights.

• Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (and in PDF format).
• Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union as adapted at Lisbon
• Charter of Human Rights
• European Parliament’s explanation of the Charter of Fundamental Rights
• Petition to the European Parliament (for abolition of monarchy).
• Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Overview)
• UDHR (Official translations)