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Articles

No. 4 (42) (2022)

The Sudden End of the Caribbean Monarchy or on the (not very) Democratic Transformation of the Kingdom of Barbados into a Republic

DOI
https://doi.org/10.36128/priw.vi42.511
Submitted
August 25, 2022
Published
2023-01-19 — Updated on 2023-01-25
Versions

Abstract

This author aims to present the process of transformation of the Barbados monarchy into a republic and analyses it from the point of view of the standards of modern democratic constitutionalism. The abolition of the monarchy and the establishment of the republic took place in Barbados at a very fast, several-month pace, without public consultations or a referendum, contrary to earlier declarations about the importance of a referendum in decisions concerning the state and society. The abolition of the monarchy was achieved through fragmented constitutional amendments in a short time by a parliament dominated by one political party. While the change of the political system itself is consistent with the views of the majority of the citizens of the island, the way it was undertaken aroused criticism. Proper assessment of the events that have taken place requires looking at them in a broader political, historical and cultural context. The case of Barbados is significant in that it could become an inspiration for other Commonwealth countries that are considering changing from a monarchical to a republican-democratic system.

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