Final answer:
Yes, a country can be both a monarchy and a republic, an example being the United Kingdom which is a constitutional monarchy. Here, the monarch serves in a ceremonial role while governance is conducted by democratically elected officials within a parliamentary system.
Step-by-step explanation:
While it may seem contradictory, a country can indeed be both a monarchy and a republic, depending on a variety of factors including the power structure and the role of the monarch. A constitutional monarchy is a prime example of this blended form of government. In such a system, the monarch acts as the ceremonial head of state while the real political power is exercised by elected officials, typically within a parliamentary structure.
An example of a country that is both a monarchy and a republic is the United Kingdom. The UK is a constitutional monarchy where the monarch (currently Queen Elizabeth II) serves as the head of state in a largely ceremonial capacity, while the elected Parliament, led by the Prime Minister, governs the country. Though the royal family is an embodiment of tradition, power mainly resides with the democratically elected government.
It is important to note that in modern times, many constitutional monarchies have evolved from absolute monarchies. These nations maintain their monarchs for their ceremonial significance, but the authority of such monarchs is greatly restricted and subjected to a higher constitution. Parliamentary republics with ceremonial presidencies mirror this framework where a ceremonial head of state exists alongside a dominant parliamentary system.