Monarchy Of England

Ice-PhoenixIce-Phoenix Join Date: 2004-09-18 Member: 31775Members
<div class="IPBDescription">whats the point</div> ok i am excepting the fact alot of you are american and otherplaces and frankly dont give a c*** but i thought i'd make this serious topic!

What exactly is the point of our monarchy i mean ok back in the old days it was good it inspired people and people fought for queen and country, but nowadays theres no need for it i mean honestly all the royal family do is just sit around all day doing jack s*** and stealing hard earned money.. its ridiculous as its the goverment that does all the work... and tony blair is a idiot so if england are to survive then we need to sort-out our goverment and monarchy..if there should be one.

also i find americans patriotic and that they inspire me more then my own country.
americans have sense of pride for there country that no other has and that is inspiring
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Comments

  • SnidelySnidely Join Date: 2003-02-04 Member: 13098Members
    Then again, America has respect for the office of president. We don't have the same for the schmuck who lives in No. 10, or any of our politicians, for that matter.

    Watch <i>The West Wing</i>, and then compare that to <i>Yes, Minister</i> and <i>The New Statesman</i>. You'll see what I mean.
  • lolfighterlolfighter Snark, Dire Join Date: 2003-04-20 Member: 15693Members
    There is no point. It's a romantic tradition. And all the tabloid magazines would scream bloody murder if you'd dare even consider changing it. So BACK OFF. You know, paparazzis can be pretty scary when they're desperate.
  • Pepe_MuffassaPepe_Muffassa Join Date: 2003-01-17 Member: 12401Members
    I'm an American, though I lived in New Zealand for a while - and they answer to the monarchy.

    My personal opinion is that it started as an attempt to keep everyone happy. The people wanted the power, but they wanted a figurehead to appear "powerful".

    Now it has degraded into an elite social stardom group dictated by who's blood is in your veins. It is a popularity contest with no other contestants.

    However, it does serve it's purpose. "The masses" need someone to place on a pedistal - it makes them happy, makes them feel like they are apart of something bigger. In essence, your monarchy makes your country special.
  • NiteowlNiteowl Join Date: 2002-09-04 Member: 1274Members, NS1 Playtester, Contributor
    i'm sure this has been suggested before. this is the internet, afterall. but the UK should have a voluntary opt-in on the tax form to support the royal family (i'm not sure they are supported by tax dollars, i assume they have a large enough capital base to be generationally wealthy). the royalists can tick "Yes, take such an such % MORE of my money to support the Royal Family" and those who don't care or vehemently hate the Royals can leave it unchecked.

    everyone happy, no?
  • BerettaBeretta Join Date: 2003-08-16 Member: 19794Members
    The reason the monarchy is good is because it makes us unique, its something about being British, name another country with a monarchy and a democratically elected leader, its cool <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/biggrin-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->

    I love it <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/smile-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->

    And no offence to the USA, but personally having a flag on your house doesnt say anything.
  • EpidemicEpidemic Dark Force Gorge Join Date: 2003-06-29 Member: 17781Members
    The monarch does it's uses.. It mostly serve as a representent (sp?) of the country and attend to stuff the state-minister have no time for.. Otherwise, I agree.. It's pretty old-fashioned <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/smile-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
  • Fog_cartoonsFog_cartoons Join Date: 2003-09-08 Member: 20658Members
    edited September 2004
    What are you on about?

    I am English and there are many, good points to the monarchy.

    1st of all it's a tradition. Getting rid of the queen would cause our national heritage to fade away. Consider getting rid of thanksgiving or something, and that is sort of what it would be like (Think massive money changes, removing the Queen’s face. We would probably go to the Euro).

    2nd of all, the Queen brings in one hell of a lot of money to our country. The money she creates by tourism more than doubles what she spends per year (republicans greatly exaggerate the spending figures).

    3rd, the queen does have control of some significant constitutional functions, along with that fact that she rules the commonwealth.

    4th, I feel proud to be English, my friends feel proud to be English. England is one of the smallest places in the world and yet it ruled 2/3rds of all land. The monarchy is a symbol of this.

    Ach! Sorry, I've just read how angry this is, i'm not trying to flame or anything, im just, saying my side of the discussion
  • Ice-PhoenixIce-Phoenix Join Date: 2004-09-18 Member: 31775Members
    i'm not saying your wrong i'm proud to be english and well granted without the queen we wud have a different picture on coins or possible change to the euro which by all accounts sucks as GBP is the best currency going.

    altho i do wish the queen would do more then sap all our money.. she doesn't exactly bring glory to the world does she she sits around and watches tv and makes apperances god.. if i was famous i'd make apperances etc, but i wudn't sap peoples hard earned money!!!
  • Fog_cartoonsFog_cartoons Join Date: 2003-09-08 Member: 20658Members
    I agree totally, if the queen used less money rather than buying some really unnecessary stuff, then we would all be richer, but she is bringing in more money than she loses, so I can ignore it.
  • SnidelySnidely Join Date: 2003-02-04 Member: 13098Members
    <!--QuoteBegin-Ice-Phoenix+Sep 23 2004, 12:46 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Ice-Phoenix @ Sep 23 2004, 12:46 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> altho i do wish the queen would do more then sap all our money.. she doesn't exactly bring glory to the world does she she sits around and watches tv and makes apperances god.. if i was famous i'd make apperances etc, but i wudn't sap peoples hard earned money!!! <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    The Queen does not have superpowers, unlike the Pope. What do you expect her to do except smile and wave?
  • TheWizardTheWizard Join Date: 2002-12-11 Member: 10553Members, Constellation
    <!--QuoteBegin-Fog_cartoons+Sep 23 2004, 12:36 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Fog_cartoons @ Sep 23 2004, 12:36 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->

    3rd, the queen does have control of some significant constitutional functions, along with that fact that she rules the commonwealth.
    <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    As an American I would be terrified of putting any constitutional powers in the hands of someone whose family retained power through inbreeding.
  • SnidelySnidely Join Date: 2003-02-04 Member: 13098Members
    What are these significant functions? I'm aware, for example, that she has to sign a bill in order for it to become law; however, the truth is that she doesn't have much of a choice. If she did refuse to sign, she'd most likely be given the boot.

    The most influence the Royal Family has on politics is during the queen's weekly audience with the PM. She can't <i>order</i> Blair to do anything, though; otherwise, chances are that this anti-hunting bill would be getting passed.

    I'm more concerned with appointed civil servants given lots of power than I am the Royals. Alastair Campbell and Peter Mandelson, for example.
  • milton_friedmanmilton_friedman Join Date: 2004-08-11 Member: 30535Members
    <!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->ok i am excepting the fact alot of you are american and otherplaces and frankly dont give a c*** but i thought i'd make this serious topic!

    What exactly is the point of our monarchy i mean ok back in the old days it was good it inspired people and people fought for queen and country, but nowadays theres no need for it i mean honestly all the royal family do is just sit around all day doing jack s*** and stealing hard earned money.. its ridiculous as its the goverment that does all the work... and tony blair is a idiot so if england are to survive then we need to sort-out our goverment and monarchy..if there should be one.

    Also I find Americans patriotic and that they inspire me more then my own country.
    Americans have sense of pride for there country that no other has and that is inspiring <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    Tone it down a bit and try and be a little respectful. Ignorance is one thing, blatant disrespectful ignorance is another.

    The point of a monarchy is tradition. The main source of legitimacy of government in the UK is tradition; here in the United states, legitimacy lies within the constitution. In British eyes, they see the royal family as a tradition, which enforces the legitimacy of their government. Unlike many other democracy’s around where they have a written constitution, the UK has a unwritten constitution. Many MP's use tradition as a guiding tool in setting boundaries and structure of policy, while here in the US we use the constitution.

    While in many American eyes, this may seem absurd, the British see quite differently.
  • Ice-PhoenixIce-Phoenix Join Date: 2004-09-18 Member: 31775Members
    ok granted its tradition and every 1 needs someone to look up to sometime and who better then the queen, and maybe i should tone it down, but teh queen doesn't really do anything for me now does she
    <!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->The Queen does not have superpowers, unlike the Pope. What do you expect her to do except smile and wave? <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    lol snidely i mean all she does is sit around all day, occasionally going out to way at people. but she probably sits around all day shopping on price-drop tv o.O stupid if u ask me the womens got money pouring out her ears, but ontop of that the monarchys abit dodgey with price charles and everything cos nobody shows him respect in fact the only royal alot of people liked was princess diana, who infact was married into the family and sadly killed off by prince charles, or so the newspaper says with the letters found etc
  • SnidelySnidely Join Date: 2003-02-04 Member: 13098Members
    I'll admit that I'm no expert on the Queen's timetable, but she doesn't always just stay at her palace. She goes to diplomatic functions; the only problem there is her husband, who is a hundred times worse than Dubya ever could be when it comes to gaffes.

    If you believe everything you hear in the tabloids, I'm going to declare you a sucker. I'm sorry, it's nothing personal. Do you honestly, truely believe that Charles had Diana killed? Because that's just conspiratal nonsense. I feel sorry for Diana; not only did the paparazzi all but kill her, but they're still making money off her death.
  • Ice-PhoenixIce-Phoenix Join Date: 2004-09-18 Member: 31775Members
    edited September 2004
    i dont believe everything the press say as i know alot of it is just a lie cos they couldn't think of anything better and like you i am ashamed of the press for making money off her, its been about 3 years and why they wont let her rest in peace i'm not sure but it's disrespectful
  • marcemarce Join Date: 2004-08-24 Member: 30869Members
    i live in australia and we are a constitutional monarchy: that is that we have a govt which we elect (based on the westminster system of england) but before a bill can be made law it has to be signed by the queen's representitive [the vice-regal, officially titled the governor general]. The choice of the GG is made by the Prime Minister [leader of the party who wins the most seats in the lower house] and the GG and PM have weekly meetings (i assume just like the queen and tony blair do). Since a long time ago Governors General have been australians.

    Australia recently had a referendum to decide whether to become a republic and sever our bonds with england (it was defeated).

    I reckon the monarchy is a great tradition which is very much associated with England. At the same time as having this figurehead, they have a government elected by the people, so the practicality is still there.

    You shouldn't mess with tradition too much or you start creating government departments to reduce the number of words in the vocabulary. Tradition is a grand thing and part of England's history.

    However, Australia is a different matter: i reckon that Australia should become a republic just for the sheer purpose of making ourselves clearly seperate from Britan. No offence, I certainly don't mean that we should sever all ties with britain, but a new system is required on certain levels. For instance, in 1975 the governer general, the queens representitive, dismissed a democratically elected government because the opposition had a majority in the upper house and managed to defer on granting the government supply and apropriation bills. Effectively, the Queen of England dismissed an Australian Government. Just think about the implications of that.

    and think of it this way: if we become a republic we can't own you all at the commonwealth games har har har!
  • TheCheeseStandsAloneTheCheeseStandsAlone Join Date: 2003-10-18 Member: 21768Members
    The monarchy is more or less...well how do I word it. They have a monarchy for the same reason the russian military uses the soviet red star. I hope that makes sense.
  • BogglesteinskyBogglesteinsky Join Date: 2002-12-24 Member: 11488Members
    <!--QuoteBegin-Ice-Phoenix+Sep 24 2004, 10:15 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Ice-Phoenix @ Sep 24 2004, 10:15 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> i dont believe everything the press say as i know alot of it is just a lie cos they couldn't think of anything better and like you i am ashamed of the press for making money off her, its been about 3 years and why they wont let her rest in peace i'm not sure but it's disrespectful <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    About 3?

    Try 7.

    (around) July 1997 was when she died.

    Back to the original point.

    I don't really have a strong view on the Royal Family. On the one hand, they are tradition, they are a major representative of our country and they attract tourists. On The other hand, they are not actually english, they <i>seem</i> to have very little say on how the country is run, and, for all intents and purposes, they just sit on their thrones soaking up tax payer's money.

    For all their apparent uselesness, England just wouldn't be England without them, it would lose something no Tony Blair or George Bush could ever replace. I say we keep them.
  • Ice-PhoenixIce-Phoenix Join Date: 2004-09-18 Member: 31775Members
    yes i guess thats true without them we probably wouldn't be who we are today, back wen queen victoria ruled, and i aint good at history so u might have to correct me, but with the spanish armada attacking england it was the queen who thought of the idea and gave inspiration to the soliders, so even though i started this topic.. i agree i think dispite the main drawback of taking taxpayers money, we should keep them they are probably more helpful to us then i realised
  • Mad_ivansMad_ivans Join Date: 2004-08-24 Member: 30849Members
    <!--QuoteBegin-Beretta+Sep 23 2004, 12:20 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Beretta @ Sep 23 2004, 12:20 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> The reason the monarchy is good is because it makes us unique, its something about being British, name another country with a monarchy and a democratically elected leader, its cool <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/biggrin-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->

    I love it <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/smile-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->

    And no offence to the USA, but personally having a flag on your house doesnt say anything. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    I'm english there is no point. Monarchy is an effective way at controlling small state countries like england and other european nations. In other words monarchy is a centralised government in which the the power is in one point.

    (Edward) Abit like the Overmind

    It would not quite work in North america because the country is too big and fragmented to hold any value
  • marcemarce Join Date: 2004-08-24 Member: 30869Members
    edited September 2004
    <!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->It would not quite work in North america because the country is too big and fragmented to hold any value<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    The british had a huge empire held together by the central monarchy that lasted a very long time. That included the US.

    EDIT: added quote for flow and clarity
  • milton_friedmanmilton_friedman Join Date: 2004-08-11 Member: 30535Members
    edited September 2004
    <!--QuoteBegin--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->It would not quite work in North america because the country is too big and fragmented to hold any value <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    It wouldn't work in the united states not because its a big country, it's because a monarchy has no legitimacy in the eyes of 21 century Americans.
  • marcemarce Join Date: 2004-08-24 Member: 30869Members
    or at least an English monarch holds no legitimacy in the eyes of 21st century america.
  • TheCheeseStandsAloneTheCheeseStandsAlone Join Date: 2003-10-18 Member: 21768Members
    All governments have there pitfalls and pros and cons.
  • FrankensteinFrankenstein Join Date: 2003-02-19 Member: 13750Members
    england can afford to have a monarchy nowadays, cuz they have a large national government, and no state level government. It is much much cheaper to run this kind of government, but if the government gets corrupt the country is screwed. I think the days of monarchies will be over after the current one dies off. Just gotta hope they will keep on inbreeding. <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/biggrin-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin-fix.gif' /><!--endemo-->
  • ForlornForlorn Join Date: 2002-11-01 Member: 2634Banned
    The fact that England retains it's monarchy is simply because they are one of the most conservative nations on earth.

    In fact, the ideology of conservatism came from England, from Edmund Burke who advocated a respect to tradition and slow gradual change.

    So what you have a monarchy who has lost all it's power, yet retained all of it's figurehead signifigance. Someday it may be removed, but not in this generation of people.

    England is all about slow, gradual change.


    Also, look at common law, invented by England... as others have pointed out the English rely on common law (law established through tradition) to govern themselves, which is a further testamount to their tradition to conservatism.

    God bless the Brits eh? Because god knows how much I love conservatism
  • SnidelySnidely Join Date: 2003-02-04 Member: 13098Members
    We're so conservative that even the Labour party (left-wing party) has become conservative. :/
  • marcemarce Join Date: 2004-08-24 Member: 30869Members
    <!--QuoteBegin-Snidely+Sep 27 2004, 01:43 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Snidely @ Sep 27 2004, 01:43 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> We're so conservative that even the Labour party (left-wing party) has become conservative. :/ <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    in england?
  • SnidelySnidely Join Date: 2003-02-04 Member: 13098Members
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