18 Sep 06
Arguing against monarchy waving the flag of democracy
is a big joke if we speak about Britain, being, as it is,
a constitutional democratic monarchy.
Thus, the role of the monarchy is almost 100% ceremonial
and its critique should be therefore solely in terms of
symbolism. Thus, if the royal family is still an abstract
representation of the concept called U.K. and it
serves as a distinction, it is justified in terms of what it is:
Image.
The latter, of course, is solely on terms of semiology. A different
world would be if, instead of head of State, the Queen would be
head of government which, so far, is not the case anymore.
18 Sep 06
Originally posted by aging blitzerIf you want democracy, then ask the people what they want.
If you want democracy, then ask the people what they want.
If Scotland chooses independance, then it's nothing to do with you.
Who would be next in line for the Scottish throne in an independant Scotland?
A referendum on the monarchy would be a good idea.
If Scotland chooses independance, then it's nothing to do with you.Agree, but until then it is.
Who would be next in line for the Scottish throne in an independant Scotland? There wouldn't be a Scottish throne. There is some debate about whether we'd remain in the commonwealth, which I think the SNP favour.
18 Sep 06
2 edits
Originally posted by SeitseI think the queen being head of state is undemocratic. Every piece of legislation has to get the royal assent before it is law.
Arguing against monarchy waving the flag of democracy
is a big joke if we speak about Britain, being, as it is,
a [b]constitutional democratic monarchy.
Thus, the role of the monarchy is almost 100% ceremonial
and its critique should be therefore solely in terms of
symbolism. Thus, if the royal family is still an abstract
representation o ...[text shortened]... of head of State, the Queen would be
head of government which, so far, is not the case anymore.[/b]
To say nothing of the vast amount of public money spent on them.
A lot more than just image.
18 Sep 06
Originally posted by davidtravellingJust out of interest--if somebody succeeded in eliminating the core Royal family and surviving distant relations showed no interest in the job, how would a new monarch be appointed?
Should Queen Liz be the last monarch and on her death we change to a republic or should we keep with the tradition?
18 Sep 06
Originally posted by Bosse de NageI think they just keep going down the list until they get someone willing to take the job. It is a big list.
Just out of interest--if somebody succeeded in eliminating the core Royal family and surviving distant relations showed no interest in the job, how would a new monarch be appointed?
18 Sep 06
Originally posted by aging blitzerNobody has seriously suggested any sort of restoration of the Scottish monarchy.
have you had a referendum, or is this based on polls of Scots on whether they want the UK monarchy?
Whether we retain some kind of connection with the british monarchy is a more complex debate, with some politicians tiptoe-ing around the issue to avoid upsetting orange/loyalist sensibilities.
So, we have a debate over whether we should still be in the commonwealth, so the monarch is still some kind of nominal head of state.