How did New Zealand lead the world in democracy?

Answer 1

New Zealand is both a democracy and a monarchy because the parliament is voted in by its citizens (democracy) and it has a monarch (Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of the United Kingdom). In the same way as the UK and many other states - ie by giving the monarchy ceremonial and assent responsibilities only.

Answer 2

New Zealand is what's called a "parliamentary democracy" where the people elect their representatives (members of parliament) who elect a government through votes of "confidence" or "no confidence". The person leading the party or group of parties with the confidence of parliament becomes the Prime Minister, or the head of the Government. The Queen is New Zealand's Head of State.

Answer 3

Why can't it be both? There are plenty of countries which are both democracies and constitutional monarchies. Also there are plenty of countries which are republics (that is not monarchies) and are not democratic.

The role of a monarch in a constitutional monarchy is similar to a supreme court judge.

* They have the power to intervene in an emergency, but do this very rarely. It is usually many years between interventions.

* Also, like supreme court judges, it is very difficult to sack them.

* Unlike Supreme court judges, they are not limited purely to legal cases brought to them, they can be proactive.

* They are the head of the armed forces. If the government tries to do something illegal with the armed forces, they can order them not to obey.

Many countries have a "non-executive president" who has a similar role, for example Germany and Italy.

In 1982 Canada repatriated it's Constitution and severed all political connections to Britain and their Royalty. Any reference to Monarchs or Royalty is ceremonial only. Which is the best form of any Monarchy.

Answer 4

we were the first country to give women the vote

Answer 5

Constitutional Monarchy - legislative and executive branches are elected by the people and the head of state is the monarch (with limited powers).