“Monarchs, more so than other autocrats, tend to develop norms that help elites solve their collective action problem. Such a “political culture” makes monarchs’ commitments credible. Therefore, monarchs should exhibit longer tenures and faster growth than non-monarchs. Time-series cross-sectional analyses corroborate these hypotheses for the Middle East and North Africa between 1950 and 2004. Monarchs are less likely to suffer coups, revolutions, or government crises. Additionally, as oil rents increase in monarchies, they generate higher economic growth—which does not happen in non-monarchies. A case study of Qatar’s political history puts flesh on a theory of monarchical political culture.”
I can think of a number of reasons why monarchs may suffer somewhat less from the ‘power corrupts’ norm. (1) often educated from childhood to use power wisely (2) often feel their power is legit and therefore less fearful of overthrow (3) tend to get better ‘press’ than other autocrats so that abuse of power less noticeable (4) often have continuity and structure in their advisors inherited from previous monarch.
Despite this, there have been some pretty nasty monarchs through history—even ones that are thought of as great like Good Queen Bess. However, if I had to live in an autocratic state I would prefer an established monarchy, all others things being equal.
Somewhat relevant:
http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1548222
I can think of a number of reasons why monarchs may suffer somewhat less from the ‘power corrupts’ norm. (1) often educated from childhood to use power wisely (2) often feel their power is legit and therefore less fearful of overthrow (3) tend to get better ‘press’ than other autocrats so that abuse of power less noticeable (4) often have continuity and structure in their advisors inherited from previous monarch.
Despite this, there have been some pretty nasty monarchs through history—even ones that are thought of as great like Good Queen Bess. However, if I had to live in an autocratic state I would prefer an established monarchy, all others things being equal.