Dynastic law as constitutional coup

A ruling family can rewrite internal house or family laws to effect constitutional change without legislative or popular approval, consolidating executive power while leaving formal democratic institutions intact. Such maneuvers let elites entrench prerogatives (vetoes, pardons, succession rules) and hollow democratic checks by using private‑law channels. — If small‑state examples scale as precedent or tactic, democracies face a new pathway for de‑democratization that circumvents ordinary legal and political safeguards.