Do you think the Royal Family plays and important role to the UK? How do you see the position and function of the Queen or the King in the modern world?
Do you support the idea or are you a republican, and why?
2007-06-20 12:09:52 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Other - Politics & Government
Northern, this is yahoo! questions & answers, not yahoo! statements.
2007-06-22 13:09:41 · update #1
I see her as my Monarch, but that's just me
2007-06-20 12:19:14 · answer #1 · answered by Manc Lush 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
The reason why many people in UK support the monarchy is because so long as UK has a head of state who is born to the job, no villainous person will ever hold the post.
In other words, having a monarchy means that an extremist group and/or person, cannot take power in UK. Any political party who is elected by the people must go to the monarch and ask permission to form a government.
What this means in effect is that if a political party or group were to gain overall command in the Commons which did not meet the approval of the monarch because they were an extremist political party, then the monarch, as head of state, could refuse point blank to allow such a political party to form a government.
To give you a modern example of what a monarch can do, go back in time a few years to the attempted coup in Spain by the Civil Guard. They took over parliament. The Spanish Communist Party sent men on to the streets of Madrid to surround and protect the King [Juan Carlos] in his palace. The King meanwhile went live on TV to tell the people that he was in command of the nation and they should stay home and all would be calm.
And so it was. The King had the support of the people and in a day or so everything returned to normal and democracy was restored.
God save the King
2007-06-21 00:58:07 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 4⤋
They show a sign of continuity which i think helps britain. Although PM's and cabinents come and go the monarchy is still their. They are also the head of the Commonwealth which unites dozens of nations around the world(and whilst it has little power) it allows nations all over the world to share a link with their past.
The monarchy creates millions in tourism as well which stems to there rich history, and unlike say the french,the monarchy has always cowed to mass public pressure, and this adds to the popular image of the benevolant monarchy.
The monarchy also have the royal perogative, which technically acts as a break on any PM which might go overboard (ie stop totalitarian government).
Ultimately it serves as symbol for patriotism,which is diminishing all over the UK, but nothing gets pride going in this day and age than royal ceremonies and events.
Whether or not the monarchy serves a purpose in the twentyfirst century is irrelevant because as long as their is popular support (which by and large there is) then the monarchy shall remain, and this is a democratic country.
2007-06-20 20:01:45 · answer #3 · answered by Gaz 3 · 3⤊ 2⤋
I fully support the Monarchy for a variety of reasons- principly because it has all the virtues a Republic has not.
Here is just a random compilation of thoughts- I'm tired and I can't really string anything coherent together today, sorry Euro.
1. Stability- every Republic has been born of conflict
1b- less corrupt than a republic. A constitutional monarchy has been demonstrated time and again to be far less corrupt than a republic- especially where the head of government and head of state are one and the same- a perfect example is the US.
2. Non-partisan head of State- Crown has the ability to dismiss parliament when not acting in accordance to public or national interest.
3. No chance of a dictatorship
4. Respect for one's betters. Humility and modesty are two virtues too seldom encountered today. It does one massive benefit to be reminded that one is indeed beneath their betters
5 Humans are not created equal- we are all chance creations and our lot in life is decided upon our conception. Thus our life is pretty much determined by our fortune or lack thereof of our birth- some have and some have not- just accept it and move on rather than quibble with envy.
6. I am English and thus I am my Queen's subject- love it or lump it. I am not a citizen and I am not a freeman- I remain forever hers. And I don't care for stupid Leftist codswallop about Human Rights and what-not- most of the world doesn't observe such nonsensical academic whimsies.
Japan, Indonesia, many other countries have aristocracies and highly stratified societies- at least we who recognise our betters are more honest than those who pretend to be all equal under God- like the Americans.
7. As an ex-soldier, I served my Queen first and my country second. We're all called Her Majesty's Rifles, Her Majesty's Royal Marines, Her Majesty's Dragoons, Her Majesty's Life Guards etc for a reason- we belongs to her- not some pathetic puffed up politician and thus cannot be used against us, her people (at least easily).
Anyone who advocates a Republican England is a traitor and a coward. Tough titties if you don't like it but if you are born a British citizen- you are a subject of Her Majesty- like it or not- and that means Republicanism is sedition.
So tough titties- you don't like the Queen- and being an inferior pisss off. Millions over the years have fought and died for the Crown you insult all their memories by advocating its' removal.
God Save the King! indeed Clive H (never thought we'd agree) and three hearty cheers for Her Majesty! Hip hip Huzzah! Hip hip Huzzah! Hip hip Huzzah! And one more for good Prince Phillip!
2007-06-21 09:18:50 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
It represents our history, our heritage, our past and present power, unity, continuity, national pride, patriotism, etc, etc.
Now, I've often heard it said by those who would support a republic (who I'm going to stereotype as unpatriotic, treacherous bastards) that we should abolish the Crown on the grounds of democracy. Now, given that the vast majority of people in the UK, especially England, support the monarchy and like having it, and that Queen Elizabeth has a far higher approval rating than any Prime minister in modern times has ever had, don't you find that that argument is intrinsically flawed?
God Save the Queen
2007-06-21 12:33:06 · answer #5 · answered by AndyB 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Interesting question and one that divides not only a nation, but me too.
On one hand, I love having a Monach, but on the other, does she serve any REAL purpose?
I did a bit of research a while ago, and the Head of State, ie, the Queen, can at anytime revoke the power of Government and take FULL control of the country.
Erm, is Charlie boy going to be King? Watch this space!!!!!
2007-06-21 02:34:27 · answer #6 · answered by effenel 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
She has many honory roles and helps balance the power between head of state and the law.
Good for us Tony Blair if he is locked up has to appeal to our Queen for a judicial review. However the monarch cannot act in politics which is a nice balance and gives us the most fair democracy in the world. Thats why ours is the oldest.
The monarch also technically owns all the land in the country (Your buying land in fact says, you are permitted use of so and so land for an unlimited amount of time. However she still technically owns it), our national anthem says "God save the Queen" she is head of state our PM just represents the people in it, our armed forces are "Our Majesty's Armed Forces", our postal is "Royal Mail" etc... etc....
So yes she in fact is the most powerful woman in the world however due to historical clashes between the public and the monarch she rarely uses her power. However she does possess A LOT of it!
2007-06-24 08:38:40 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
The Royal Family is an antinquated relic that should be buried along with all other ancient relics. In millennia to come our successors can observe what an idiosyncrasy they actually were (or are, as the present case may be).
The Royal Family has and continues to reside in their ivory towers. They make no effort to connect to their subjects whatsoever.
As a stark comparison I recall a programme, documentary actually, on King Juan Carlos of Spain. As he rode his motorcycle, unescorted by costly law enforcement officers, he stopped and gave a lift to a motorist who had run out of petrol. When they arrived at the fuel station King Juan Carlos took off his riding helmet to explain to the motorist why he did not want to accept any payment for his assistance. There you have a fine example of down to earth aristocracy worthy of respect from his subjects.
The Royal Family of the UK are completely disfunctional. I do not need to explain why they are disfunctional as I believe it is quite apparent.
My point in reference to the above comparison is can you imagine any members of the Royal Family or their parasitic off-siders doing this?
We all complain about excessive taxation and where the Government allocates taxes. Lets save ourselves millions in taxes and make these parasites a thing of the past!
Off with their heads!!!
2007-06-20 22:55:21 · answer #8 · answered by General Guru Master 2 · 4⤊ 2⤋
I think it's an archaic tradition that serves no real purpose.
Royalty (and the comforts it brings) because of something so trivial as a bloodline. Meanwhile, us commoners have to work day and night because we weren't lucky enough to be born into money and fame?
And then there's the question of power. We are a free society (or so I'd like to believe) so we democratically elect our leaders; they're certainly not born into power.
Plus there's the whole reason behind royalty. God's chosen ones right ... give me a break ¬_¬; anyone else who says that will spend their remaining days in a 8x8 padded room and in a very restrictive jacket.
2007-06-20 19:22:33 · answer #9 · answered by Equinox 5 · 5⤊ 2⤋
Oppression is what it does symbolise. Monarchy is dead, has no place in the modern world.
I am a Republican - an Irish Republican - no need to say more.
2007-06-26 23:30:12 · answer #10 · answered by gortamor 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Who would you prefer to be head of state..
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth 2 or the likes of Tony Blair.
I see the queen as a figure head, someone the people of the UK can look to in times of trouble.
Somehow, I just do not see anyone of the likes of Tony Blair doing that for me.
God Save The Queen.
2007-06-21 03:24:25 · answer #11 · answered by knowitall 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋