Absolute Monarchy vs Constitutional Monarchy
The difference between absolute monarchy and constitutional monarchy is that in the absolute monarchy, the monarch holds the supreme or absolute powers, whereas in the constitutional monarchy, the head of state is a hereditary or elected monarch.
The law within a constitutional monarchy might be different from the law within an absolute monarchy. Differences between absolute and constitutional monarchies emerged during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries when many European countries experimented with absolutism and constitutional monarchies.
Absolute monarchy is also called undemocratic monarchy and constitutional monarchy is also called a liberal monarchy. In the absolute monarchy, the king or queen rules with absolute and total power whereas in a constitutional monarchy the king or queen has limited powers since they rule along with a parliament or a governing body. In other words, the king or queen of an absolute monarchy is a dictator.
An absolute monarch is entitled to make all the economic and other state -related decisions for the country whereas in the constitutional monarchy,the parliament is responsible for the economic and foreign affairs policies etc. The initiation of constitutional monarchy was made possible when the monarchs started abusing their powers. They started believing that God chose them and bestowed upon them the powers. This attitude proved to be devastating for the integrity and safety of their countries. Absolute monarchy was initiated with the decline of the church and partly due to religious or holy wars. However, a good absolute monarch can be advantageous whereas as an irresponsible monarch with absolute powers can be very dangerous.
An absolute monarch is not legally bound whereas a constitutional monarch is legally bound by the constitution of his country. In the absolute monarchy, the monarch gains powers either through heredity or marriage. In the constitutional monarchy, the prime minister is elected either directly or indirectly. Unlike in the absolute monarchy, the prime minister in the constitutional monarchy exercises effective political power.
United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Sweden, Malaysia, Luxemburg and Jordan are among the nations that have constitutional or limited monarchy system whereas Brunei, Saudi Arabia, Vatican City, Swaziland, Oman and Qatar are some of the few nations that still have absolute monarchs.
Summary:
1. Absolute monarchy or undemocratic monarchy transmits absolute powers to the monarch who acts as a dictator or head of the state.
2. Constitutional monarchy or liberal monarchy gives limited powers to the monarch as in the monarchy of England.
3. In the constitutional monarchy, the prime minister of the state holds the maximum powers and political effectiveness.
4. Absolute monarchs were initiated due to holy wars and the decline of the church.
5. Constitutional monarchy was initiated when the monarchs emerged as irresponsible and careless leaders.