role of the monarchy in twentieth century Britain
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The role of the monarchy in twentieth-century Britain.
The role of the monarch has changed radically several times over the centuries. Its role has been that of a feudal overlord based on military strength and dynastic claims during medieval times, to a royal absolutistic role based on "divine right" during the Tudor era (1485-1603), to a monarchy ruling with the consent of Parliament after the Glorious Revolution (1688-89), to a limited constitutional monarchy warranted by the monarch's acceptance of limits on his/her political role during the 18th and 19th centuries. Today the monarch serves as a ceremonial figurehead in a parliamentary democracy based on tradition and the monarch's total detachment from politics.
In theory and in law, all acts of government are performed in the name and by the authority of the Monarch. The monarch promulgates laws, negotiates treaties, selects a Prime Minister and a cabinet, names other political and religious leaders, and grants pardons. Today, in actual practice, the Queen exercises virtually no political power whatsoever. All the acts performed in her name are actually undertaken by the Prime Minister and the Cabinet. In fact, the Queen actually has fewer political freedoms than the average British citizen. She is unable to take a partisan position, nor can she express her political views...