One more monarchy on the way out
Preparations for the coronation of George Tupou V have been marred by demonstrations and talk of revolution. Following the declaration of a republic in Nepal and the request by the British Queen for more money from her subjects, Tonga’s wrestle with democracy is part of a growing question over the rationale for feudalism. The Tongan king is unpopular because his wealth is in stark contrast with that of most Tongans and he shows little interest in the Church, rugby or getting a wife - prerequisites for a successful Tongan king. None of this would matter if he were an ordinary man, but expectations matter in a country where village chiefs have to make regular offerings to the head of state.
What do you think? Are monarchies a great way to govern or are democracies more senisble? Comment in the box below - you don’t have to leave your real name:
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Most modern Monarchies are democracies. There is no contradiction with having a crowned head of state and a democratic society.
Should you talk to a Dutch or a Norwegian and tell them they don’t live in a democracy they’d just laugh at you. In fact, the Kingdom of the Netherlands is one of the most open and most tolerant societies I know. And it is significant that those who agitate against the democratic structure of the Kingdom and against multiculturalism are republicans. The Christmas message of Queen Beatrix was criticised by Geert Wilders, leader of the Freedom Party, because the Queen asked for a “tolerant society”. Mr. Wilders assumed she was criticising his party’s stand on immigrants and he asked to axe the Queen’s “political powers”.
I am glad to live in a Monarchy and I will fight against any move to replace our Queen with another politician who gets a well paid job from his mates.
Royalist, while I agree with much of what you say, I must disagree with your asseveration that the Netherlands is “one of the most open and most tolerant societies”. Having said that, the presence of a monarch does not preclude democracy. Further, democracy is a myth.
Monarchies are for contrived, insular societies. In many cases so is democracy, despoism, fuedulism, and communism.
Dont’t give em so much that they have power, but just enough not to provoke a revolution.
Go figure.