Teaching Comparative Government and Politics

Sunday, March 06, 2011

Monarchy or republic?

The question of the role of a monarch in a democratic regime shows up in textbooks and classrooms more often than it does in UK politics. A couple dozen republicans did show up in front of Windsor Palace in London recently. Why?

Royal wedding: diehard republicans battle on despite Britain's love affair with the monarchy
Hugh Ashton's face was a portrait of thwarted ambition as he watched from a discreet distance the anti-monarchist protest in front of Buckingham Palace… "It's a bit disappointing. I was expecting more people than this. It's made me wonder, if this is the strongest number they can get out…"

Graham Smith… campaign manager of the organisation Republic believes… "The monarchy is not a luxury; it's an imposition and an obstacle to serious political reform."…

Whether or not you agree, it is a good illustration of why Smith describes the status quo as "the politicians' monarchy – it serves their interests and not ours. The monarchy corrupts the culture of politics because the politicians end up seeing themselves as part of a state apparatus rather than the people's servants."…

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