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Author Topic: The merits of monarchy?  (Read 4587 times)

Enkhidu

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The merits of monarchy?
« on: February 28, 2006, 02:10:10 PM »
I've got this friend who thinks the best form of gov't is a theocratic monarchy. The problem is that he's not a very, well, sharp knife if you know what I mean, and doesn't get the limitations inherent in that form of rulership.

Anyway, we've been round the proverbial bend on this one before. So many times, in fact that he's heard all my arguments.

So what's your take?
 

Knightcrawler

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The merits of monarchy?
« Reply #1 on: February 28, 2006, 02:16:42 PM »
Monarchy just doesn't work unless it is a historical.figurehead position like England.  And Theocracy in any form is bad.
Knightcrawler

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Dr_Avalanche

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The merits of monarchy?
« Reply #2 on: February 28, 2006, 02:17:42 PM »
Theocratic? Really?

I could make a (weak) argument for democratic monarchy, but theocratic?

No, sorry. That's just all sorts of dumb.

Varaj

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The merits of monarchy?
« Reply #3 on: February 28, 2006, 02:24:43 PM »
I am not found of the idea.  A technocracy would be best or a meritocracy after that.
Over all different governments server different needs.  What is best for one group in time will not be best for another.
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Elwood P. Dowd

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The merits of monarchy?
« Reply #4 on: February 28, 2006, 02:27:17 PM »
The merits of a Monarchy depend on the merits of the Monarch.  You friend sounds like a good and thoughtful person.  I admire him for not worshiping at the altar of Democracy, as is the current fashion.

You might want to check out Democracy: The God that Failed: The Economics and Politics of Monarchy, Democracy, and Natural Order by Hans-Herman Hoppe
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0765808684/sr=8-1/qid=1141154751/ref=pd_bbs_1/103-7656910-2854258?%5Fencoding=UTF8
 

Megamieuwsel

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The merits of monarchy?
« Reply #5 on: February 28, 2006, 02:35:49 PM »
A monarchy could be a good system , as long as it's backed by a good-functioning form of feodalism.(Which , after all , is a crude form of a meritocracy.)
The only problem with that is that it's so easily abused and corrupted.

Insert Username Here

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The merits of monarchy?
« Reply #6 on: February 28, 2006, 02:42:13 PM »
With the right person at the head, Monarchy is one of the best systems of government. With the wrong person, it sucks.

I suppose, though, that's the case with any type of government, but I think with a Monarchy it's a little more...pronounced/obvious.
 

Knightcrawler

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The merits of monarchy?
« Reply #7 on: February 28, 2006, 02:45:37 PM »
Quote from: Insert Username Here
With the right person at the head, Monarchy is one of the best systems of government. With the wrong person, it sucks.

I suppose, though, that's the case with any type of government, but I think with a Monarchy it's a little more...pronounced/obvious.


And unlike some other forms of government no checks and balances.  Also its by blood not by merit or choice of populance.
Knightcrawler

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Dr_Avalanche

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The merits of monarchy?
« Reply #8 on: February 28, 2006, 03:01:24 PM »
The way to make a monarchy functional is of course to remove all power from the monarch.

It's not an entirely unusual arrangement - see UK, Sweden, Denmark etc.

theblackknight13

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The merits of monarchy?
« Reply #9 on: February 28, 2006, 03:03:54 PM »
Monarchy main use is to avoid blood civil wars, though they still slip through. Democracy is better at that, but requires the infrastructure to be built up first. At the time of it's height, monarchy was the best choice out their for anything resembling a large empire.
 

Insert Username Here

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The merits of monarchy?
« Reply #10 on: February 28, 2006, 03:05:52 PM »
Quote from: Knightcrawler
And unlike some other forms of government no checks and balances.  Also its by blood not by merit or choice of populance.
Not sure if you're agreeing or not, but...

Checks and balances, like anything in gov't, can be as much a help as a hinderance. They can keep good things from happening as well as bad.

See, if I were King of the World, it would be a truly great place, and I wouldn't have thousands of pissant beaurocrats gettin' in my way...
 

Knightcrawler

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The merits of monarchy?
« Reply #11 on: February 28, 2006, 03:09:12 PM »
Quote from: Insert Username Here
Not sure if you're agreeing or not, but...

Checks and balances, like anything in gov't, can be as much a help as a hinderance. They can keep good things from happening as well as bad.

See, if I were King of the World, it would be a truly great place, and I wouldn't have thousands of pissant beaurocrats gettin' in my way...


Power Corrupts, Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely
Knightcrawler

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Insert Username Here

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The merits of monarchy?
« Reply #12 on: February 28, 2006, 03:16:54 PM »
Quote from: Knightcrawler
Power Corrupts, Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely
Not with me at the head. :D
 

bondetamp

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The merits of monarchy?
« Reply #13 on: February 28, 2006, 03:35:48 PM »
What is a Theocratical Monarchy?

Would there be checks and balances? Would there be a parlament or senate?

Would there be a constitution?

Would it be like Iran, but with the rulership held within one family for generation after generation?
 

Enkhidu

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The merits of monarchy?
« Reply #14 on: February 28, 2006, 03:39:32 PM »
Well, as far as I can tell, my friend's ideal gov't is one with no real checks at all. Edicts from on high are enforced by a combination of the clergy's beauracracy and what passes for a police force.