Abstract:

Constitutional monarchy is the foundation of the modern British political system, and the political significance of the monarchy cannot be fully explained in the social contract theory.Edmund Burke was the first to reflect on the social contract theory based on natural rights, arguing that British democratic politics stemmed from the constitutional tradition, and the retention of the crown was a continuation of the spirit of the constitution. Stimulated by the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century, and faced with the tendency towards individualism caused by the theory of natural rights and the social contract theory, British conservatism resorted to historical traditions, and emphasized the role of the constitution in maintaining the integrity of society. Walter Bagehot reintroduced the principle of dignity in the political system, arguing that the Queen was the head of society, and that the principle of society was another foundation independent of the principle of government efficiency. As the representative of society, the Queen highlights the wholeness of society. Upon this foundation, James Frazer established a social theoretical basis for constitutional monarchy. He broke away from the dualistic Christian division of sacred and secular political theory and examined the historical forms of kingship and the relationship between royal and divine authority. He argued that the sanctity of the king came from his social responsibilities, and the king became the head of society by creating a customary and cultural community centered around himself through sacrificial rites. In British history, the constitutional tradition of "the King in the council in the Parliament" is the embodiment of the totality of society centered on the king. However, it was established in an early institutionalized form and became the main content of the British political system. By exploring the social significance of the monarchy in constitutional monarchy and re-emphasizing the integrity of society, conservatives helped to maintain the social order amidst the changes of the times, and reshaped the traditional cultural values, and cultivated the social sentiments of the citizens.

Key words: divine right of king, the integrity of British society, constitutional monarchy, James Frazer