I, as second generation citizen of the USA , a Political Science major and JD, have always wondered why the U.K. supports a monarcy? What is the rationale for Elizabeth II to be accorded the benefits and acolades she receives from her subjects.?
Are the financial gifts she receives from her subjects worth the cost? Does she have any Queenly Powers?
Any constitutional Powers?
Is she just a symbol of the old forgotten and destroyed Empire?
Would appreciate it if some of her subjects could enlighten me as to the merits of a Monarch for the U.K.
I, as second generation citizen of the USA , a Political Science major and JD, have always wondered why the U.K. supports a monarcy? What is the rationale for Elizabeth II to be accorded the benefits and acolades she receives from her subjects.?
Maybe Tevye has the answer.
Facts don't lie or have an agenda. Facts are just facts
There is a fairly thorough wikipedia article on the subject.
I, as second generation citizen of the USA , a Political Science major and JD
Hmm. The wiki article does not seem to mention any particular reader background/credentials. Sorry about that. I'll look for a more suitable reference.
Under a government which imprisons any unjustly, the true place for a just man is also in prison. Thoreau: Civil Disobedience (1846)
The apathy of the people is enough to make every statue leap from its pedestal and hasten the resurrection of the dead. William Lloyd Garrison
Of course, this exorbitant sum falls on people who don't particularly want a monarch, but then we also subsidize opera houses when some (most) people don't want opera, theater for people who don't watch plays, and libraries when some people don't read, so I think that's fair enough.
In short, the monarchy would seem to be justified by the fact that people want one.
This is what Dr. Adequate said, but I think simply because it is what most of the population actually want. When I was in Britain most people viewed the Queen as a sort nice old lady who doubled as a harmless living symbol of Britain, basically most people are fond of the monarchy.
Is she just a symbol of the old forgotten and destroyed Empire?
Forgotten?, didn't it end only fifty/sixty years ago.
I think the reason we currently have a monarchy is because we quite like queenie. She's been with us for at least three generations and now has the status of 'national treasure.'
She doesn't get involved with politics and she's a major tourism asset.
But I'm a republican at heart - I don't like the idea of being a subject rather than a citizen and I hate the servility and genuflection in the antiquated class and grace and favour structures that lives behind it all.
I suspect we'll be having a really good look at how much of royalty we wish to keep when she either pops her clogs or hands over the reigns.
Life, don't talk to me about life - Marvin the Paranoid Android
I think there'll be serious questions when Charles takes over. I mean it would be difficult to dislike Elizabeth, but Charles comes across as a bit silly, interventionist. How do people in the UK feel about him?
I think there'll be serious questions when Charles takes over. I mean it would be difficult to dislike Elizabeth, but Charles comes across as a bit silly, interventionist. How do people in the UK feel about him?
I think most people regard him as a crank and really wouldn't want him on the throne. It will throw everything into the air if he looks as though he's going to succeed.
(btw, when I say I'm a republican - I don't mean in the American sense )
Life, don't talk to me about life - Marvin the Paranoid Android
I, as second generation citizen of the USA , a Political Science major and JD, have always wondered why the U.K. supports a monarcy?
As a UK citizen I have to admit to being a bit baffled by the whole thing too. The whole royal thing in this day and age is....It's all a bit absurd.
What is the rationale for Elizabeth II to be accorded the benefits and acolades she receives from her subjects.?
Tourism is usually cited by monarchy supporters. But it's not like tourists actually get to meet, or usually even see, the queen. Frankly I think touristic interest in British history and tradition is often conflated with interest in the monarchy and thus falsely attributed. Tourists would still go to the Tower of London, watch the changing of the guard at Buckingham palace, visit castles and all that malarkey even if we got rid of the royal family tomorrow.
Indeed - It might even stir up some more interest if we did it in a suitably historical manner..... (fetch the guillotines!!)
Any constitutional Powers?
Nominally I believe the monarch has some sort of executive power over the elected government. But in practise - No. It's a silly figurhead.
Is she just a symbol of the old forgotten and destroyed Empire?
A symbol of lost empire and some sort of throwback to medieeval class structures. Nobility. Birth right. All that sort of nonsense.
Would appreciate it if some of her subjects could enlighten me as to the merits of a Monarch for the U.K.
Hmm. The wiki article does not seem to mention any particular reader background/credentials. Sorry about that. I'll look for a more suitable reference.
Sorry I offended you. I was just giving reasons for my interest in this subject, ie. study of goverments and practice of law.
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