British People: Monarch or No?

[Rival]

This poll is aimed at British people, but non-Brits may also join in the comments of course!

The question is simple: do you support the Monarchy, or would you prefer Britain to be a Republic?

 

[Kirran]

I would, ultimately, prefer a republic. But it's not an issue which I am currently "militant" about. At the end of the day though, I'd rather a real democratic and astatist society than a republic.

 

[Kirran]

@निताइ dasa - dude, you're a Brit? :O

 

[निताइ dasa]

@निताइ dasa - dude, you're a Brit? :O

Oh damn, didn't read the subclause. Whoops.

Sorry, (erghgh I can't take back my vote! Maybe admins can)


If a king is virtuous and bound by laws of ethics, then I would prefer a monarchy to a republic.

 

[Kirran]

Oh damn, didn't read the subclause. Whoops.

Sorry, (erghgh I can't take back my vote! Maybe admins can)

If a king is virtuous and bound by laws of ethics, then I would prefer a monarchy to a republic.

You do have the same monarchy!

Whose ethics, eh?

Also, you know, tagging you in a post is a right pain. It took me like 2 minutes.

 

[Rival]

I am tied. In my heart I think I'd rather have an Absolute Monarch.

But then you look at history.

So then I'd rather have a Republic.

But then you look at history!

 

[YmirGF]

I didn't vote so as to not spoil the vote, but I will say if Charles ascends to the throne a LOT more people are going to be looking at scrapping the tradition altogether. If he magnanimously passes the torch to his son, William and his ever so adorable wife, Kate, I think the monarchy might just be here to stay. (That's from an angry old Canadian white man's viewpoint.)

 

[निताइ dasa]

You do have the same monarchy!

Whose ethics, eh?

Also, you know, tagging you in a post is a right pain. It took me like 2 minutes.

I'm sure we can work out a consistent body of ethics which uploads the rights of the people and is open to input also.

Heheh that's why I picked the name, so people can't tag me easily, so they won't reply as easily, so I win the debate

 

[Kirran]

Charles ain't gonna be in long anyway. What do you see as the advantages of an absolute monarchy, @Rival?

I'm a firm believer in the whole mandate to govern thing. And I think the more direct and genuine the democracy, the stronger the mandate.

 

[Brickjectivity]

The horrible torture chambers of the 12th century set Britain up to eventually choose a republic. The island never forgot about all that torture and pillage, so it was only a matter of time. I guess. Robin Hood and stuff.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

I am tied. In my heart I think I'd rather have an Absolute Monarch.

In an absolute monarchy, what you'd rather have is irrelevant.

 

[The Emperor of Mankind]

I favour a republic - specifically a democratic republic. With that you can at least get rid of the leader if he turns out to be a tool. Monarchies never ever end well.

If we did have a monarchy then I'd be heavily in favour of imposing the Chinese concept of the Mandate of Heaven - a ruler is only fit to rule so long as they and their underlings do so well. Things like constant unrest and natural disasters etc would indicate that the ruling class had lost Heaven's favour and it was time for a change. I'd also be heavily in favour of normalising the Confucian teaching that a bad, ineffective or cruel leader is not owed loyalty by his or her subjects and said subjects have the right - even a duty - to revolt to establish a better rule. In fact I think every government could benefit from learning & applying Confucian wisdom.

 

[Kirran]

I'm sure we can work out a consistent body of ethics which uploads the rights of the people and is open to input also.

1) How can we have any assurance a monarch will uphold that body of ethics, and interpret it well?

2) How can we be sure it would be updated appropriately?

3) What about people whose morals diverge significantly?

Heheh that's why I picked the name, so people can't tag me easily, so they won't reply as easily, so I win the debate

You devious...

Go on, please, can we have Roman script?

 

[Kirran]

I favour a republic - specifically a democratic republic. With that you can at least get rid of the leader if he turns out to be a tool. Monarchies never ever end well.

If we did have a monarchy then I'd be heavily in favour of imposing the Chinese concept of the Mandate of Heaven - a ruler is only fit to rule so long as they and their underlings do so well. Things like constant unrest and natural disasters etc would indicate that the ruling class had lost Heaven's favour and it was time for a change. I'd also be heavily in favour of the Confucian teaching that a bad, ineffective or cruel leader is not owed loyalty by his or her subjects and said subjects have the right - even a duty - to revolt to establish a better rule.

What about our current monarchy in the UK? Would you like to abolish our existing constitutional monarchy?

I think that's the point of the question.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

This poll is aimed at British people, but non-Brits may also join in the comments of course!

The question is simple: do you support the Monarchy, or would you prefer Britain to be a Republic?

As a Canadian, I'd love to have a head of state for my country who actually lives in my country.

It's ironic that the Conservatives passed a rule taking away the right to vote from Canadian ex-pats who go more than 5 years without living in Canada, but we've never had a head of state who actually lived here.

 

[The Emperor of Mankind]

What about our current monarchy in the UK? Would you like to abolish our existing constitutional monarchy?

I think that's the point of the question.

I said I was in favour of a republic so yes

 

[Kirran]

As a Canadian, I'd love to have a head of state for my country who actually lives in my country.

I grew up in Wales. Your move

 

[Kirran]

I said I was in favour of a republic so yes

Oooh, jolly good. You and I will get on famously.

 

[Rival]

Charles ain't gonna be in long anyway. What do you see as the advantages of an absolute monarchy, @Rival?

I'm a firm believer in the whole mandate to govern thing. And I think the more direct and genuine the democracy, the stronger the mandate.

I think advantages is the wrong word, but I would find it simpler and more effective. I just like strong authority, rather than one that I percieve as weak.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

I grew up in Wales. Your move

If you want the same thing, I'm fully behind you.