The Myeong Commonwealth is a free confederation with a constitutional monarchy as its focus of unity. The monarch exercises none of the executive, legislative, judicial, prosecutorial, and superintendent powers of the Commonwealth. These powers are exercised by confederal authorities, including HM Government and the chambers of the Commonwealth Assembly, which are either directly or indirectly selected through free, fair, and open democratic procedures. 

The monarch of the Myeong Commonwealth is obligated to remain impartial and aloof of politics and has 'no power to veto any act or decision of either or both chambers of the Commonwealth Assembly, His Majesty’s Government, the Supreme Court of Justice, the Commonwealth Prosecutorate, the Commonwealth Inspectorate, independent statutory commissions mentioned in this Constitution, and the public authorities of confederal subjects': Article III(5) of the Constitution of the Myeong Commonwealth. Indeed, modern government is most efficient where the ceremonial functions of the state are separated from daily executive, law-making, and judicial operations.

Constitutional monarchy humbly embodies notions such as allegiance, duty, and hierarchy which might offend modern ears but are essential for the existence or survival of any successful civilisation. With a constitutional monarch, rather than a career politician or political appointee of the Government-of-the-Day, serving as a stable figurehead and symbolic head of state, the Myeong Commonwealth can provide its people with a sense of permanence, continuity, and unity during times of chaos and change. 

Whether through preserving cultural traditions or promoting external relations, constitutional monarchy has much to offer in today's ever-changing political landscape.

THE CONFUCIAN 

MANSEYA

The honorific Manseya (만세야) ('Lord of Ten Thousand Years') is used to address HM The Emperor, who holds the spiritual title 'Suzerain of All-Under-Heaven' according to the ancient Confucian doctrine of 'There is Nowhere Under Heaven That is Not the Sovereign's' (하늘 아래 왕의 땅 아닌 곳이 없다), as a form of respect and reverence. 

Within the polity of constitutional monarchy of the Myeong Commonwealth, the role of HM The Emperor is largely ceremonial. Following Daemyeong practice, the Commonwealth confers the title of Manseya on HM The Emperor (pictured here, accompanied by HM The Empress) and his legitimate successors. HM The Emperor retains significant moral responsibilities despite his lack of legal and political powers. 

Article III of the Constitution of the Commonwealth spells out the monarch's full title as 'By the Grace of God, the Emperor of the Myeong Commonwealth, Suzerain of All-Under-Heaven, Defender of the Way' (황천상제의 은총으로의, 명한연방황제, 천하공주, 왕도수호자). As 'Defender of the Way,' HM The Emperor has a unique constitutional responsibility—as a prospective Sage King—to admonish, from time to time, the entire Commonwealth to organise their lives in greater accord with the Way of humaneness, justice, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness, through documents known as 'Exhortations.' Exhortations are not legally binding.

Using the Manseya title for the Sovereign during the Daemyeong Empire was a way to express hope in the Emperor's longevity and divine mandate to reign. In traditional Confucian culture, the number ten thousand symbolises infinity or an immeasurable quantity, so calling the Sovereign the 'Lord of Ten Thousand Years' is a way of wishing him a long reign.

THE PRIVY COUNCIL OF THE MYEONG COMMONWEALTH

The highest advisory body to the Monarch is the Privy Council (한림원). Ex officio Privy Counselors (한림원 대학사) include the Supreme Patriarch, the Prime Minister, the First Deputy Prime Minister (Foreign Affairs), the Second Deputy Prime Minister (Home Affairs), the Lord Chancellor of the Privy Council, the Lord Speaker of the House of Representatives of Parliament, the Lord Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Justice, the Lord Prosecutor-General, and the Lord Inspector-General.

The Lord Chancellor (한림원 대승지), appointed by the Monarch for renewable five-year terms, upon recommendation of an independent statutory commission, will also serve as the Lord President of the Privy Council, the Lord President of the Confederal Council, the Secretary of Justice of His Majesty's Government, and the Lord President (대리관) of the Court of Appeals of the Supreme Court of Justice. This office aims to promote mutual respect and a better understanding of fundamental constitutional principles, especially the rule of law and judicial independence, among these organs of the Commonwealth.

The Monarch must obtain the consent of the Privy Council, by a simple majority of attending Privy Counselors, before making decisions regarding his enthronement; the promulgation of charters, edicts, and letters patent; the adoption of a new reign name, the investiture of peers; the interpretation or amendment of the Grand Rules of the Imperial Household; and adbdication. The organisation of the Privy Council is to be determined by law.