Nepal ended 239 years of royal rule last year, making the Shah dynasty the latest monarchy to tumble. Nepal became a republic soon after. The last time a monarchy was abolished was in May 2007 when Samoa’s king died. There are currently 30 monarchs reigning over 44 extant sovereign monarchies in the world. As we have reached the 21st Century, many people now view monarchy as an archaic system and should have no place in modern society. And even the democratic constitutional ceremonial monarchies are very fragile and in threat of their survival. Because in the 21st century, a political institution, monarchy, which has been around since preliterate man, is on the verge of extinction. In an age of democracy, it is hierarchic; in an age of egalitarianism, it is elitist; in an age of skepticism, it is mystical. So tell me, Do You think it’s time for the remaining monarchies of the World to be abolish and if so, why? Please! I want a straight forward yes or no answer and why. And NOT just that "THEY’RE TRADITION THEY SHOULD BE LEFT ALONE" I NEED A BETTER ANSWER THAN THAT!
Can you debunk these arguments, for all monarchies in general, both absolute AND constitutional:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republicanism_in_the_United_Kingdom#Arguments_in_favour_of_a_republic
1. Monarchy is the opposite of democracy
2. Monarchy denies the people a basic right
3. Monarchy devalues a governmental system
4. The monarchy is religiously discriminatory
5. Monarchy is gender-discriminative
6. A monarchy demands deference
7. A monarchy is the enemy of merit and aspiration
8. It devalues intellect and achievement
9. It harms the monarchs themselves
10. Monarchs are not impartial, and lack accountability
11. The monarchy is expensive
12. The monarchy makes the nation look backwards
13. The monarchy doesn’t represent the country and it’s culture
And please no "it’s up to the people in these countries to decide" I have heard about these nations, and they want republics. I want to know what YOU think.
No!
May I ask whether your country is a monarchy? If not, why do you care?
I couldn’t help noticing that on the same page you cite there are also arguments in favour of monarchy. In the interests of balance:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republicanism_in_the_United_Kingdom#Arguments_in_favour_of_constitutional_monarchy
To answer you comments:
1. Over 70% of people in the UK want to keep the monarchy:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7967142.stm
In many countries, such as Australia, there are frequent referendums on whether to keep the monarchy or not. Also, most monarchies these days are powerless and it is the elected politicians who run the country.
2. It is a fundamental right of all people to elect the people who run their nation. As stated above, this happens in most every modern monarchy as it is the elected Parliament and Prime Minister who hold all legislative and executive power – not the monarch.
3. Far from devalues a governmental system, a non-political head of state offers a safeguard against government instability. This is not just political theory, it has been proved in the real world. In the 1981 April Fool’s Day Coup in Thailand and the El Tejerazo coup in Spain when King Bhumibol and King Juan Carlos I respectively stepped in to restore democracy in their countries after military coups.
4. Not all monarchies are religiously discriminatory. The British monarch is also head of the church of England so can’t be of another faith.
5. The sexism in the British monarchy hasn’t been an issue for almost 60 years. Equality of both sexes is being discussed now. It is little different to many other industries, companies and government departments which have only moved away from gender-discrimination in recent decades.
6. The monarchy embodies the nation and so is treated with respect, but then so are elected Presidents. Look at how the deference the President is given in the US.
7. and 8. Through the honours system, the monarchy rewards the intellectual, social and charitable achievement of the nation’s people.
9. This is no different from every political leader, both elected and unelected. The public eye is harmful, it always has been.
10. Monarchs have to be impartial, and if they are not they can be removed by Parliament (and are thus accountable to the people’s representatives). The British Parliament has removed a monarch from the thrown before – in 1688 – and it could do it again.
11. The British monarch is one of the cheapest heads of state in the world. The Royal family cost the British tax payer just £.0.69 per person per year – a bargain if you ask me!
12. The monarchy gives a sense of continuity and tradition of which many counties of the world are envious. You shouldn’t underestimate the importance of continuity and the prestige it gives the nation.
13. The UK monarchy represents culture, history, pomp and ceremony. What could be more representative of Britain than that? Also, Queen Elizabeth II is one of the most respected and admired people in the world. To quote President Obama "I think what the Queen stands for and her decency and her civility, what she represents, is very important."