Monarchist discussion thread

[Immoren]

Strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government.

[Stormaen]

In the past decade, there have been serious discussions in bot Georgia and Serbia about restoration of their monarchies. Such discussions are almost certainly interlinked with perceptions of corruption and disengagement of the political classes. I suppose that's a strongpoint of monarchy in my view; especially amongst modern constitutional monarchies of Europe. Their being above politics but still being the 'physical embodiment' of the nation, its culture and its heritage, is a perfect balance for a head of state that a partisan head of state, even a figurehead one, just can't match.

[Major-Tom]

They've got about as much authority as a mall cop.

Not true. There are certainly better examples, but this is worth looking at. Monarchs still have power, it just isn't as obvious as people would think.

Sorry mate, I was drunk, I didn't mean that in a serious way.

[Herrebrugh]

I support getting rid of Willem-Alexander as Koning der Nederlanden.

I don't support a system of government which so significantly favours one family, especially if it does so institutionally and without any shame whatsoever.

[MERIZoC]

My thoughts on monarchies.

muh nap tho

[The East Marches]

I support getting rid of Willem-Alexander as Koning der Nederlanden.

I don't support a system of government which so significantly favours one family, especially if it does so institutionally and without any shame whatsoever.

My god, are you even Dutch? This has to be some sort of scientific anomaly. I've never met a Dutchman who doesn't love his king.

[-Mr Money-]

Poll answer: UK style Constitutional

Personally speaking, regardless of if it is possible or not, I think that fundamentally a monarchical system of government, such as in the most democratic countries in the world, is better, more stable and democratic than a system in which the head of state is elected. I've heard that there are certainly some countries which are thinking of restoring their monarchies, such as Serbia, and definitely think that restoration of the monarchies in Europe would be a net positive for country and people alike.

I agree with this. Being British myself, I believe the UK style Constitutional Monarchy is the best in the world. Absolute Monarchy is Dictatorship of the Crown and Republican Presidential Government is fuelled by corruption and easily manipulated by special interests. I agree with the great British Whig Politician Edmund Burke, Monarchy is needed to unify the people, as long as it is limited and Liberal with the executive resting with the Commons, kept in check by the House of Lords. The Prime Minister commands the confidence of the Monarch, so he/she doesn't have a free reign over everything and just give out Executive orders like some other Presidents.

*Looks across the Atlantic Ocean*

[NeuPolska]

I support getting rid of Willem-Alexander as Koning der Nederlanden.

I don't support a system of government which so significantly favours one family, especially if it does so institutionally and without any shame whatsoever.

My god, are you even Dutch? This has to be some sort of scientific anomaly. I've never met a Dutchman who doesn't love his king.

That's another thing, many monarchist countries have pretty high approval ratings for their rulers. Queen Elizabeth has 80% I think (if someone wants to confirm that'd be cool). Norway's got 80-something percent, Denmark has 77%, and Sweden has about 70. I know in Japan "everyone" loves the Emperor. I was there last summer, my Japanese guide told me that, I'm sure there are approval ratings somewhere.

Monarchs are symbols of their countries, just another thing to get patriotic about. If so many people can agree on something as political as that, then clearly there's something beneficial to having a monarchy. Which again means stability, the main advantage of a monarchy over a republic.

[Salus Maior]

La Republique nous appelle!

Really, I don't understand the appeal of monarchy beyond bling.

The irony.

[Dinake]

There are still several monarchs in Europe, most notably Queen Elizebeth II of the United Kingdom. There is also Spain, Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway and Luxembourg.

They've got about as much authority as a mall cop.

Monaco and Lichtenstein's monarchs have a rather lot of authority, though.
Well, except for it being over countries the size of parking lots.

[The Empire of Pretantia]

This is the discussion thread for Monarchists and about Monarchism. So, let's get down to it with a question:
Do you think Europe could realistically become Monarchist again?

No. It's a traditional thing unless it's a dictatorial thing.

I mean, lets look at former monarchies. France hated theirs, Germany has been a republic for almost a century, and Russia has hated monarchies for almost a century.

Strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government.

Be quiet!

[Herrebrugh]

I support getting rid of Willem-Alexander as Koning der Nederlanden.

I don't support a system of government which so significantly favours one family, especially if it does so institutionally and without any shame whatsoever.

My god, are you even Dutch? This has to be some sort of scientific anomaly. I've never met a Dutchman who doesn't love his king.

I'm Netherlandish, and heaven forbid someone doesn't agree with the majority in a particular country.

[Ashworth-Attwater]

monarchism is a fetish

like fascism

[Immoren]

monarchism is a fetish

like fascism

Or could you say that monarch is fetish while monarchism is fetishism.

[New confederate ramenia]

monarchism is a fetish

like fascism

Please no fetish shaming.

[Immoren]

monarchism is a fetish

like fascism

Please no fetish shaming.

#YouKinkShameMeInMyOwnCastle.

[The Liberated Territories]

My thoughts on monarchies.

muh nap tho

"Premature self defense"

[Noraika]

I found this map. Personally, I'd lover to see the monarchy restored in most of Europe. I think that it is most certainly telling that, despite restoration of the monarchy not being an often discussed area of politics in Republican Europe, in places like Germany and Romania it is nearly 1 person in every 5 favoring a return of the monarchy. That isn't a significant number given the political context, and perhaps if the topic was discussed more that number might rise significantly. I do wonder what the popularity of the idea is like in Italy, Portugal, Poland, and other countries which I think would be lovely for them to restore their monarchies.

With that said, I'd much more prefer a map of Europe to look like this (monarchy and republic)

[Equestria and Griffon]

If I was a monarchist,I would be the HRE.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elective_monarchy

I know Wikipedia isn't reliable.

It's just a source we use.

[Carinya]

(Image)

I found this map. Personally, I'd lover to see the monarchy restored in most of Europe. I think that it is most certainly telling that, despite restoration of the monarchy not being an often discussed area of politics in Republican Europe, in places like Germany and Romania it is nearly 1 person in every 5 favoring a return of the monarchy. That isn't a significant number given the political context, and perhaps if the topic was discussed more that number might rise significantly. I do wonder what the popularity of the idea is like in Italy, Portugal, Poland, and other countries which I think would be lovely for them to restore their monarchies.

With that said, I'd much more prefer a map of Europe to look like this (monarchy and republic)
(Image)

Why in your map do the Czechs and Lithuanians get a king but the Slovaks and Estonians don't?

[Noraika]

(Image)

I found this map. Personally, I'd lover to see the monarchy restored in most of Europe. I think that it is most certainly telling that, despite restoration of the monarchy not being an often discussed area of politics in Republican Europe, in places like Germany and Romania it is nearly 1 person in every 5 favoring a return of the monarchy. That isn't a significant number given the political context, and perhaps if the topic was discussed more that number might rise significantly. I do wonder what the popularity of the idea is like in Italy, Portugal, Poland, and other countries which I think would be lovely for them to restore their monarchies.

With that said, I'd much more prefer a map of Europe to look like this (monarchy and republic)
(Image)

Why in your map do the Czechs and Lithuanians get a king but the Slovaks and Estonians don't?

For me its admittedly a situation of ignorance, so its a statement of 'status quo maintained because I don't know enough about these countries to say with confidence what house or what type of government they should have.' They can, of course, create their own monarchies again, but I can't say with certainty what process that might follow. In the case of Lithuania and Czechia, I can say that, since they have historically had monarchies, and since the republican system is not especially culturally significant to my knowledge, in contrast to France or Ireland where it is very culturally significant, it would be nice to see their monarchies restored.

Also, ideally, they'd institute Absolute Primogeniture, so in some countries that would mean the institution of a Queen. Nit-picking I know, but I do like the current queens as much as I do the kings, and sometimes, as is the case with Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, a bit more than the other monarchs.

[Angleter]

I support a British-style Parliamentary monarchy, although I'd only advocate the return of monarchies to other countries after a referendum, and only where there is an actual legitimate claimant to the throne. As under the British system, the monarchy's existence, the current monarch's reign, and the succession should all be dependent on the will of Parliament, which is the sovereign representative body of the nation.

I get the impression there's some chance of monarchies returning in some of the Orthodox countries of Eastern Europe - Georgia, Serbia, Montenegro, perhaps even Russia, etc. But I shan't be holding my breath.

[Old Tyrannia]

I am a self-described monarchist.

I don't believe there is a single, "ideal" model of government; different countries are suited to different forms of government under different circumstances. In almost all circumstances, I feel the best form of government for a country is the traditional, indigenous system of government, and in almost all cases that is some form of monarchy.

My own preference for my own country, the United Kingdom, would be to return to executive constitutional monarchy in which the Sovereign possesses and actively exercises at least some of the powers of the executive, such as approving bills, calling elections and appointing ministers, as opposed to what we have now which is more of a ceremonial constitutional monarchy. I regard the focussing of power in the hands of the Commons over the last two centuries or so to be an alarming subversion of the ancient British constitution of Sovereign, Lords and Commons, in which each part of Parliament provides a counterbalance to the power of the others. I selected the Imperial German model on the poll, since the German Empire was an executive constitutional monarchy of the like I admire. Overall I find the constitution of the Kaiserreich to be excellent, with the exception of the relationship between the civilian government and the military. Ultimately the ambitions of the military were what brought down both the Kaiser's Germany and Imperial Japan, the constitution of which was based on that of Prussia and Germany. Generally I think all monarchies should move towards the executive constitutional model, although I feel that the monarchy should exercise more power in some cases, in less developed states where the people aren't accustomed to or ready for democratic elections.

I tend to think that democratisation and greater public involvement in politics is an inevitable trend as countries develop economically and become more affluent, as the lower classes become more literate, better educated, and wealthier, eventually leading them to seek a greater voice in the government of the state. On the whole I consider this a desirable outcome, but I am fully willing to support autocratic monarchs like HIM Mohammed Reza Pahlavi Shah of Iran, HM Sultan Qaboos of Oman and HIM Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia in developing countries. I also think some nations are perhaps better suited to a more centralised, autocratic style of government, such as Russia which seems to gravitate towards "strongman" type leaders. In this case I don't think a British-style parliamentary system would work well, something most Russian monarchists I know would agree with, although I still expect any future Russian restoration to retain an elected Duma and head of government.

Currently, I would consider Jordan, Liechtenstein and Bhutan to be examples of monarchies that are excellently run.

[Carinya]

Why in your map do the Czechs and Lithuanians get a king but the Slovaks and Estonians don't?

For me its admittedly a situation of ignorance, so its a statement of 'status quo maintained because I don't know enough about these countries to say with confidence what house or what type of government they should have.' They can, of course, create their own monarchies again, but I can't say with certainty what process that might follow. In the case of Lithuania and Czechia, I can say that, since they have historically had monarchies, and since the republican system is not especially culturally significant to my knowledge, in contrast to France or Ireland where it is very culturally significant, it would be nice to see their monarchies restored.

Also, ideally, they'd institute Absolute Primogeniture, so in some countries that would mean the institution of a Queen. Nit-picking I know, but I do like the current queens as much as I do the kings, and sometimes, as is the case with Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, a bit more than the other monarchs.

Very sincere question for you. How much do you think you appreciation of monarchism is based on the personal aptitudes and activities of Elizabeth II?

I'm always puzzled by the monarchist admiration for Elizabeth as the be-all-end-all number 1, when for my money the single most positive monarch of the 20th century would have to be Juan Carlos - who, lest we forget, was actually offered absolute power and not only declined to take it, but was decisive in abolishing it.

[Spiffier]

In the past decade, there have been serious discussions in bot Georgia and Serbia about restoration of their monarchies. Such discussions are almost certainly interlinked with perceptions of corruption and disengagement of the political classes. I suppose that's a strongpoint of monarchy in my view; especially amongst modern constitutional monarchies of Europe. Their being above politics but still being the 'physical embodiment' of the nation, its culture and its heritage, is a perfect balance for a head of state that a partisan head of state, even a figurehead one, just can't match.

Do you have any articles on this?