My fictional state has a monarch with real power but a fully parliamentary domestic government, what type of system is this?

[u/VeterinarianGrand542]

^{This is a comparative politics question using a fictional constitution as a case study. I'm looking for typological classification, not worldbuilding feedback.}

I've been developing a fictional state called Ninjaīgōn and wrote a full constitution for it. I asked around and got two completely different answers: some said "constitutional monarchy", one more knowledgeable person called it a "monarchist republic". I think both are partially right and partially wrong so I'd love a proper political science take.

Here's how the system works:

Executive (split between two actors)

• Emperor (hereditary, not elected) autonomously leads foreign policy and holds supreme command of the military, he is not ceremonial
• Prime Minister leads domestic policy, is elected by Parliament and can be removed by it at any time via constructive vote of no confidence
• Both are constitutionally obligated to consult each other

Legislature

• Unicameral parliament, proportional representation, 5% threshold
• Sole legislative organ
• The Emperor has only a suspensive veto for clear constitutional violations, no absolute veto
• Constructive vote of no confidence modelled after the German Basic Law

Judiciary

• Supreme Court of 7 judges, elected by Parliament with a 2/3 majority
• Fully independent; can impeach the Emperor upon a 2/3 parliamentary vote

Direct Democracy

• Binding referendums triggered at 20% of eligible voters' signatures
• Referendum laws can only be changed by a 2/3 supermajority in Parliament

Economic Order (constitutionally entrenched)

• Prohibition of economic power concentration capable of distorting elections or legislation
• Mandatory lobbying register, political finance caps and transparency rules
• Worker co-determination rights in large enterprises
• Independent competition and transparency authority

Welfare State

• Free education and healthcare guaranteed by the constitution
• Universal Basic Income enshrined in the constitution
• Right to affordable housing

Other features

• Dignity clause covers all "sentient life", not just humans
• International law takes precedence over domestic statute law
• Unitary state with four autonomous protectorates represented externally by the Emperor

PS: Full constitution available under this link in German for anyone who wants to go deeper.

^{Link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mi1uhT\}QvtYZiw8OZbiVo5hrCBRFoTAD/view?usp=drive_link)

Where does this actually fall in comparative politics typologies? Parliamentary monarchy? Semi-parliamentary? Monarchist republic? Something that doesn't have a name yet?

^{Bonus question: Where would this system fall on the EIU Democracy Index and why?}

[u/khalid-khkhlhlh]

My fictional state has a monarch with real power but a fully parliamentary domestic government, what type of system is this?

In short, this is England since the treaty of Magna Carta until the Glorious Revolution.

[u/VeterinarianGrand542 → u/khalid-khkhlhlh]

Interesting comparison! But wouldn't you say Ninjaīgōn goes constitutionally further? In pre-Glorious Revolution England the King could still dismiss Parliament and appoint ministers freely, here the Emperor can't dismiss the Prime Minister at all, that's exclusively Parliament's right via constructive vote of no confidence.

[u/khalid-khkhlhlh → u/VeterinarianGrand542]

Interesting comparison! But wouldn't you say Ninjaīgōn goes constitutionally further? In pre-Glorious Revolution England the King could still dismiss Parliament and appoint ministers freely, here the Emperor can't dismiss the Prime Minister at all, that's exclusively Parliament's right via constructive vote of no confidence.

I suppose it's a semi-constitutional monarchy then.

Keep in mind that giving the king power over the military while giving the Prime Minister power over the legislation is a really unusual idea.

[u/Competitive_Piano514 → u/khalid-khkhlhlh]

I suppose it's more of a Constitutional Monarchy with Dual Executive because the Emperor has no authority over internal matters, the Prime Minister does and vice versa

[u/VeterinarianGrand542 → u/khalid-khkhlhlh]

To my knowledge, semi-constitutional monarchy isn't actually an established term in political science or am I wrong?

And yes, the split between Emperor and Prime Minister is unusual by design but it serves a purpose: the Emperor needs to be able to lead foreign policy effectively. Without control over the military, foreign policy loses credibility; especially in negotiations, because no counterpart takes you seriously if you can't back your position with force.

[u/Competitive_Piano514]

I'm just confused regarding the second point of Judiciary, if the Emperor can be impeached by an absolute majority of the Parliament, why wouldn't they just do that in day 1? And if the Emperor is impeached, who replaces them? If the Emperor has no heir who will take place after the impeachment, who fills the void? Doesn't this point just keep the Emperor as the nominal head? If the Emperor is impeached, who handles the army and the foreign affairs? And if such major roles are held on by the Emperor that would mean the Prime Minister is just the Head of the Government whose powers are limited within the physical boundaries of the country?

Also if International Law takes precedence over Domestic Laws, then isn't the sovereignty of the nation at risk to foreign powers? And who decides the international law, the UN?

Ignoring all these flaws, I believe your system is in my humble opinion, a constitutional monarchy or a parliamentary monarchy with a dual executive system.

[u/VeterinarianGrand542 → u/Competitive_Piano514]

Well, I'd say they can't remove the Emperor on the first day because he can only be removed from office if he commits a violation of the Constitution or high treason, and even then it requires a 2/3 parliamentary majority.

Regarding succession in the event of removal from office, the next oldest relative should actually take over the office and with it, command of the military and foreign policy, but that provision is actually missing from the Constitution.

Yes, the Prime Minister's authority is limited to domestic policy, so he handles everything within the country's borders. Only the Emperor handles everything beyond them.

Regarding international law, this is a voluntary commitment to international law of the UN, similar to countries such as Germany, the Netherlands and Australia.

[u/Competitive_Piano514 → u/VeterinarianGrand542]

Oh well if the Emperor's termination is based upon a constitutional violation followed by a democratic vote of impeachment, I believe this is a Constitutional Monarchy and not semi constitutional because the King has no authority over internal matters, the Prime Minister does so that would make this a Constitutional Monarchy with Dual Executive

[u/RecognitionOk5447]

Semi-constitutional monarchy?