What's the difference between a constitutional monarchy and a 'plain' one?

Question

I tried researching and it still doesn't' make much sense to me.

Like...

Isn't a monarchy supposed to be where you have a king/queen in reign where the whole family line controls the country?

And isn't a constitutional monarchy in which a constitution partly controls?

How does this work?

I'm not too sure, since my friends were trying to explain this to me, and it still doesn't make much sense.

Thanks for the help ahead of time. :]

Answer 1

the power of a monarch in the constitutional monarchy is limited by a constitution and some kind of parliament.

Answer 2

There are two types of "monarchy":

A constitutional monarchy (limited monarchy) is a form of government established under a constitutional system which acknowledges an elected or hereditary monarch as head of state with no effective power at all. The monarch may express his or her views, but, as a constitutional ruler, must ultimately accept the Prime Minister's and Cabinet's decisions.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constitutio...

Absolute monarchy is a monarchical form of government where the monarch has the power to rule his or her land or state and its citizens freely, with some laws or legally-organized direct opposition in force. In an absolute monarchy there is no constitution or body of law above what is decreed by the sovereign (king or queen).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Absolute_mo...

Answer 3

The "monarchy" part of constitutional monarchies is mostly a ceremonial function.  In such systems, the constitution is the basis of law, not edicts from the monarch.  The monarch is given such decorative tasks as signing laws into effect once the law is debated and approved by the constitutional legislators (parliament, in that type of system), ceremonially convening and dismissing parliament and acting as "good will" ambassador to foreign dignitaries and heads of state.  The hereditary monarchy is sustained  mostly as a salute to the country's heritage and culture.

In a pure monarchy, the monarch's word would become law,

In the USA, subtle (and not-so-subtle) efforts have been made over the past seven years to convert to constitutional monarchy with King George on the throne.  Fortunately the only throne he'll reign upon is made of porcelain.

Answer 4

I think a constitutional monarchy means that the constitution decides what powers the king/queen has.

Answer 5

As one whose undergraduate major was Political Science, I can tell you that your first three answers, the only ones available for me to read before I came here to answer you, are very accurate.  One addition I might put here is that in some "regular" monarchies, the monarch begins to assume some kind of godly or deity image about them, that somehow protects them from uprisings since people would be afraid to kill a god.  God (the REAL one) Bless you.

Answer 6

The constitution limits the power of the Monarch otherwise they have supreme authority

Answer 7

A constitutional monarchy (like Holland) is ruled by a constitution that gives limited power to the monarch. So there can be elections, politcal parties, etc, with the county being run by a government while the monarch occupies him/herself with doing ceremonial duties for instance. Hope this helps.