Monarchy Fetish

[Kingfish]

Just watching the news seeing all the hubbub about the royal birth, can anybody from the UK (or any country with popular monarchs for that matter) explain why the monarchs (and anything related to them) are so popular?

I could understand the royal wedding given its fairy-tale nature but seeing all this fuss being made over this child just seems crazy.

My current theory is that they are like nationalists in that they have no achievements of their own so in order to feel some pride or identity cling to the actions of their ancestors and nationals.

Am I even close?

[TheEmancipator]

I've got a library book that's like Kate and William's baby.

It's overdue and I'll end up having to pay for it.

[Sasha]

Liked the "republican" button on the guardian website, clicking it makes all references to the royal family disappear...

[Nevsky]

Just watching the news seeing all the hubbub about the royal birth, can anybody from the UK (or any country with popular monarchs for that matter) explain why the monarchs (and anything related to them) are so popular?

I could understand the royal wedding given its fairy-tale nature but seeing all this fuss being made over this child just seems crazy.

My current theory is that they are like nationalists in that they have no achievements of their own so in order to feel some pride or identity cling to the actions of their ancestors and nationals.

Am I even close?

You are right in the sense that certain types of reactionaries believe in monarchy as they do in the "nation". Said catagory stands in the tradition of wilhelminian Germany where the rise of nationalism as a new political force went into a conservative direction, allied with the monarch.

The popcultural phenomenon of monarchy today on the other hand is more about romantic perception of aristocracy which is not really political. Mainstream fans of William and Kate are not interested in feudalism or something, they "admire" them as if they were pop stars.

[Popular Front of Judea]

Did ya hear about Disney's proposal to buy out the UK? The UK would be renamed the "Magic United Kingdom" ...

[d3crypt]

I wonder what would happen if someone killed the monarchy off?

[Sasha]

i actually prefer al the antiquated fairy tale bullshit over our own "lets try to be modern" monarchy.
the more silly and antiquated it all looks the more people will resent it...

[Ace High]

I'm glad you pointed this out. To me, it is incredibly disturbing. Nobody in the UK seems to be able to grasp the fact that they are literally worshiping a family of inbred fascist scum. A family that has done absolutely nothing for anyone in the UK, who lives off of the wealth of their "precious" bloodline. That is awful. And now this poor baby will be brainwashed into a fascist sympathizer from birth.

[Popular Front of Judea]

Monarchy is the opiate of the English ...

[RedAnarchist]

I'm hoping when the Queen dies, that republicanism rises quickly because of Big Ears, and we can get rid of them, but the obsession with William means people will probably want him to be King instead.

[Paul Pott]

Even here in America people take a bizarre interest in it. Somehow we all learn that Parliament taxed the shirts off our backs, George III was crazy, and the British were mean in 1812 and sacked Washington, but the monarchy became awesome again after Victoria.

[Ace High]

Even here in America people take a bizarre interest in it. Somehow we all learn that Parliament taxed the shirts off our backs, George III was crazy, and the British were mean in 1812 and sacked Washington, but the monarchy became awesome again after Victoria.

That's actually a really good simple way to put it. Americans only hate the idea of the old British monarchy. Now they see it as a just a smiling friendly family who has graciously given up political control and acts as some honorable figurehead to unite Britain. It's ridiculous, but that's how people in America view it.

[Paul Pott]

I'm hoping when the Queen dies, that republicanism rises quickly because of Big Ears, and we can get rid of them, but the obsession with William means people will probably want him to be King instead.

This, maybe when the monarch isn't an innocent looking grandma it won't be so cute.

Then you'll hate your king like the Spanish.

[Sasha]

I'm hoping when the Queen dies, that republicanism rises quickly because of Big Ears, and we can get rid of them, but the obsession with William means people will probably want him to be King instead.


oh, but i'm pretty sure that they are already planning on skipping a generation for a long time, now that they have their "heir and a spare" (price harry ofcourse never counted for the spare since everyone with the faintest idea of genetics can see that the redhaired is a bastard and so not of "royal blood") even more so.
there is no other reason why the queen is holding on so long.
we/you dont get to elect our rulers but they do...
all of course under the fluff of "modernizing" and "rejuvenating" (read preserving) the monarchy

[Paul Pott]

What would happen to the monarchy's image if somehow, someday, Scotland became independent?

[Bostana]

I've always hated the idea of the Crown and that whole tradition. It sounds and is stupid. However I am sure comrades in the U.K. hate it more than I

[Sasha]

What would happen to the monarchy's image if somehow, someday, Scotland became independent?


who says that they wouldnt keep the monarchy, just like canada and the rest of the commonwealth?

[Bronco]

What would happen to the monarchy's image if somehow, someday, Scotland became independent?

Not much really seeing as Salmond loves the Queen and they would keep her as their monarch

[TheEmancipator]

I thought it should've been the bourgeois liberalism that rid us of royal families?

We can never count on those bastards...

[Tifosi]

What would happen to the monarchy's image if somehow, someday, Scotland became independent?

Not much. The Queen is still reasonable popular in most of Scotland (but looked at like a demigod by Loyalist/Sectarian/Rangers types). The Queen spends large amounts of time at Balmoral Castle but you'd hardly notice. Scotland doesn't obsess over them like the rest of the UK or US does but they are still liked for the most part.

Some 50% of Scot's feel Scotland would be worse without the royals while 36% say the country would be better.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/may/24/queen-diamond-jubilee-record-support

[Rural Comrade]

By what I hear Australia is planning of offing the throne when the Queen dies.

Regardless the thing I hate about the European Monarchs as opposed to those in Japan or Cambodia is that they have potential to have total control over the government in certain situations and are always the commander in chief and people act like they don't.

Poor kid he might be a good guy but he'll get the divine right bullshit.

[Kingfish]

By what I hear Australia is planning of offing the throne when the Queen dies.

Whilst in regards to the Republic question in Australia the republic movement whilst growing is still suffering because the monarchists have successfully equated the monarchy to being part of our national identity/culture. Not to mention that the proposed new flags are all bullocks (which is surprisingly important to people).

Also the last referdum was sabotaged in the sense that the question was really dodgy.

I mean just look at the question

"To alter the Constitution to establish the Commonwealth of Australia as a republic with the Queen and Governor-General being replaced by a President appointed by a two-thirds majority of the members of the Commonwealth Parliament"


Poor kid he might be a good guy but he'll get the divine right bullshit.

I actually hope something like this would happen as Im sure it would greatly invigorate the republican movement and their downfall, another Charles I type character is just what we need to cast of this horrid institution.

[human strike]

Spectacle's gonna spectacle.


I'm glad you pointed this out. To me, it is incredibly disturbing. Nobody in the UK seems to be able to grasp the fact that they are literally worshiping a family of inbred fascist scum. A family that has done absolutely nothing for anyone in the UK, who lives off of the wealth of their "precious" bloodline. That is awful. And now this poor baby will be brainwashed into a fascist sympathizer from birth.

Much like the Bush family.


I thought it should've been the bourgeois liberalism that rid us of royal families?

We can never count on those bastards...

It's all Cromwell's fault.

[Rural Comrade]

Cromwell did give his son power so can we say he was any different?

[Popular Front of Judea]

I would wager that once Australia votes to be a republic that will cause the dominoes to start falling

[The Intransigent Faction]

So, uh, America fought a war to free itself from the tyranny of the British crown...so nearly 2 1/2 centuries later its news networks could fawn over the "royal baby"?

[Rural Comrade]

Or if any part of the UK succeeds regardless the UK is the shining symbol of monarchy fallowed by Spain. I know I'm forcing this down everyone's throat but hears the thing: Monarchy is horrid. One's child does not perfectly reflect one's own views and even then it has to be the first-born so the second and third and so on despite an qualities they or the people might have are thrown away.

Then think of what some of these kids have to go through I mean every move being watched shame they could have been a decent person if a stupid tradition had not been in place.

[Popular Front of Judea]

We do have the best of both worlds. We can fawn all we want while we are free of a governor general. (Ask Australians what is like to have one.)


So, uh, America fought a war to free itself from the tyranny of the British crown...so nearly 2 1/2 centuries later its news networks could fawn over the "royal baby"?

[Whale]

You are right in the sense that certain types of reactionaries believe in monarchy as they do in the "nation". Said catagory stands in the tradition of wilhelminian Germany where the rise of nationalism as a new political force went into a conservative direction, allied with the monarch.

The popcultural phenomenon of monarchy today on the other hand is more about romantic perception of aristocracy which is not really political. Mainstream fans of William and Kate are not interested in feudalism or something, they "admire" them as if they were pop stars.

I think you've got it spot on. Nowadays, people see them as they would the next contestant on Britain's Got Talent or the X-Factor. I'm in the United States, and it's even spread to here to some degree.

[The Intransigent Faction]

We do have the best of both worlds. We can fawn all we want while we are free of a governor general. (Ask Australians what is like to have one.)

No need to ask them. :P Canada has a Governor General as well.

[RebelDog]

Not much really seeing as Salmond loves the Queen and they would keep her as their monarch

Once we get independence were going to rise up in rebellion, march on England and restore a Stewart to the throne.

[Rugged Collectivist]

Is the monarchy really a bigger threat to communism in the UK than a Bourgeois republic would be? It's a horrid institution for sure but is republicanism really that important in an age when the monarchy is a largely impotent tourist attraction? Whenever I hear monarchists defending the royals they usually say "we'd lose tourist money" or "It's part of our national identity". The latter is problematic but nationalism is a huge problem in many republics as well, and many countries have abolished their monarchies without ridding themselves of nationalism.

I don't want to sound overly critical, the abolition of all monarchies is a worthwhile goal, but will it really change much?


We do have the best of both worlds. We can fawn all we want while we are free of a governor general. (Ask Australians what is like to have one.)

What is it like to have one?

[Q]

I'm hoping when the Queen dies, that republicanism rises quickly because of Big Ears, and we can get rid of them, but the obsession with William means people will probably want him to be King instead.
In Belgium the new king, Philippe, is so unpopular that limited republicanist ideas might very well surge. Limited though because without a king the question is often framed in a "well, then we need a president I suppose" sense...

[Popular Front of Judea]

Yes I know. I am probably one of the few Americans who does know that. However to my knowledge the Governor General there has never dismissed a Prime Minister at the alleged urging of the CIA as the Australian Governor did in 1975


No need to ask them. :P Canada has a Governor General as well.

[Flying Purple People Eater]

I wonder what would happen if someone killed the monarchy off?

Already happened.


http://www.staceyreid.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/mcr235ly.jpg

Also, Australia already had a vote for becoming a republic, where the overwhelming majority of Australians (70%?) said yes. But the conservative Liberal Party rigged it so that the votes were split between 'different kinds of republic' so that the royalist vote, despite being a small minority, won.

[Quail]

I'm from the UK and I don't really get why people go so crazy about the monarchy. Posts were coming up on my facebook wall about how the royal baby made them feel "proud to be British". Like, really? People seem to think of the monarchy as harmless figureheads who bring in tourists.

[Flying Purple People Eater]

Apparently when my parents were kids, they were encouraged to sing anti-republican songs in school for fun - like 'shoot the tack that doesn't fly the union jack' or something like that. Then again, I guess that's not nearly as bad as the 'patriot' insanity going on in America, what with kids fucking saluting to the nation in class. That shit is so similar to hitler youth it isn't funny.

They love to hammer in the cult of nationalism when the victims are young.

[x-punk]

What would happen to the monarchy's image if somehow, someday, Scotland became independent?

I was speaking to an SNP representative about the vote for independence. He told me even if the people vote 'yes' for independence that the queen will remain the head of state. He also said that Scotland will keep GBP as their currency. Also, one of the SNP's main policy priorities is full integration with the European Union. Strange kind of Independence they are offering.

Anyway, back to the OP. I think you are probably correct with the idea that many are clinging onto something to make them feel better about themselves; to make them feel part of a something bigger.

I also think that many people just follow what others are doing or what seems like the popular opinion. Over here in the UK just now there is a constant media barrage about this baby. Every news channel is running with it, the papers are full of it and loads of other programs are featuring things about it. It is just everywhere in the UK media. And of course its the sugary, sycophantic drivel you would expect from the media. And if the mainstream media tells you to follow and support it, most people will do that without questioning.

[Kingfish]

They love to hammer in the cult of nationalism when the victims are young.

Capitalism manages to create a nice synergy in my opinion in this respect, firstly it destroys the sense of community and belonging with the cudgel of competitive individualism, whereupon it offers up nationalism to fill the resulting gap of desire for collective belonging.

[Jimmie Higgins]

So, uh, America fought a war to free itself from the tyranny of the British crown...so nearly 2 1/2 centuries later its news networks could fawn over the "royal baby"?Sometimes I think it would be more fun to be anti-patriotic if our symbols were some usless rich person rather than flags and birds and a bell and shit. There's no fun in hating and disrespecting some colorful cloth compared to hating, say Regan, or other actual figures.

[Adammite]

The only reason we still have a monarchy in the UK is because they bring in tourist revenue. The royal family has no power over the country the power falls to parliment (and unfortunatly the unholy combination of david cameron and nick cleg).

[Sasha]

The only reason we still have a monarchy in the UK is because they bring in tourist revenue. The royal family has no power over the country the power falls to parliment (and unfortunatly the unholy combination of david cameron and nick cleg).


bullshit, prince charles got a private audience with the health minister only last week to lobby for NHS money for homeopathy.
they still have lots of power, lots of influence. they might not be absolute rulers anymore but they still pull many strings.

[Craig_J]

I've always hated the idea of the Crown and that whole tradition. It sounds and is stupid. However I am sure comrades in the U.K. hate it more than I

Oh trust me, we love nothing more over hear then hearing about any breathe and movement our dearest Windors/ Saxe-Couburg and Gotha's take! Nothing brings a thrill quite like hearing some boring trife about a woman magically being able to give birth....

Yeah, us leftists over hear hate it. But many actually buy into this, I think it's because of the capitalist imaginary nation boundaries and sense of "heritage" it envokes in those who have brought the systems workings. They see it as a source of pride that their rulers (after all, the monarchy can take back all powers from parliament at any time) are talked about globally.

Honestly, the miniute anyone starts talking about this with exictment, I lose serious respect for them, and that's not a nice position to be in!

[Flying Purple People Eater]

The only reason we still have a monarchy in the UK is because they bring in tourist revenue. The royal family has no power over the country the power falls to parliment (and unfortunatly the unholy combination of david cameron and nick cleg).

What about nobility's assured entry into the political sphere? The house of lords?

[Sasha]

What about nobility's assured entry into the political sphere? The house of lords?

The worst thing is that the house of lords is one of these institutions where royalists point to in their argument "at least we are better than the presidential alternative" and actually be right.
Those bloody lords, appointed for life actually do make a nescecarry stand once in a while for comon sense and individual freedom against the bourgeois parties insanity , admittedly also for fox hunting crap but still..

[Dennis the 'Bloody Peasant']

I just saw today's front page of The Sun ...they've re-branded the paper The Son.

...I want to melt my eyes with solvents

[Rural Comrade]

What do the proletariat in UK feel about this then what about the other parts of the Commonwealth.

[rednordman]

Monarchy is the opiate of the English ...So true. but I do dream of a day when we are without a monarch and that's regardless of politics. I don't really hate the monarchy but they mean absolutely nothing to me. and more important i don't see why i should be forced into subsidizing them via taxes.

Monarchists will probably counter that argument by accusing us of thinking that everyone agrees with us, when they don't, but that's besides the point. I don't see why in the 21st century, we should be forced into worshiping the royals as if they really are touched by god.

[Redmau5]

The only reason we still have a monarchy in the UK is because they bring in tourist revenue. The royal family has no power over the country the power falls to parliment (and unfortunatly the unholy combination of david cameron and nick cleg).

This is always the main argument used by royalists to defend the continued existence of the monarchy. Well, the French put their royalty under a guillotine and they don't seem to have any problems with attracting tourists do they?

While the abolition of monarchy may not be the most pressing political issue, I still feel it's important because while they may not hold any real power, they symbolize all that's wrong with British society and wider society in general. Obscene inherited wealth, snobbery, class and privilege are what the Royal family represent, despite the media's attempts to portray them as monarchs of the "people".

Monarchy worship spoon-fed into to people at a young age only helps ferment other negative and reactionary opinions.

[Sperm-Doll Setsuna]

bullshit, prince charles got a private audience with the health minister only last week to lobby for NHS money for homeopathy.
they still have lots of power, lots of influence. they might not be absolute rulers anymore but they still pull many strings.

Wasn't there shady real estate deals a plenty in the past too, I'm pretty sure there were plenty shifty corrupt activities going on...

And what's with royals and quack hokus-pokus medicine like homeopathy? Sickening.

[Per Levy]

its a sad thing that to many bluebloods escaped things like the french and english revolution, instead they are still there and plagueing us to this day.

[John Lennin]

Well, I guess the so called 'royals' are just some kind of extended celebrities.
They' re wealthy so they must be admired.

As ex-monarchist I feel like I have to say that this celeb-thing never was at the core (or even near to it) of my beliefs.
Mistrust in the opportunistic parliamentary system was the main reason I think. Strong and effective control of power for the benefit(!) of the people.
Voltaire, Locke blah blah...
But this was ages before i got to know socialism (especially council democracy).

[Human Liberation Front]

Just watching the news seeing all the hubbub about the royal birth, can anybody from the UK (or any country with popular monarchs for that matter) explain why the monarchs (and anything related to them) are so popular?

I could understand the royal wedding given its fairy-tale nature but seeing all this fuss being made over this child just seems crazy.

My current theory is that they are like nationalists in that they have no achievements of their own so in order to feel some pride or identity cling to the actions of their ancestors and nationals.

Am I even close?

I wish there was a rational reason as to why, especially the United States with it's pride of revolting against the monarchy back in the 1700's, the royal couple and it's child (whom will be more well off than a majority of the worlds children: health, education, life...to an extent).

[Comrade Jacob]

Just watching the news seeing all the hubbub about the royal birth, can anybody from the UK (or any country with popular monarchs for that matter) explain why the monarchs (and anything related to them) are so popular?

I could understand the royal wedding given its fairy-tale nature but seeing all this fuss being made over this child just seems crazy.

My current theory is that they are like nationalists in that they have no achievements of their own so in order to feel some pride or identity cling to the actions of their ancestors and nationals.

Am I even close?
As a brit I a can easily tell you that although the media likes to portray otherwise the majority of the island really doesn't care. I for one am disgusted by the fact that a child who did the "amazing" feat of being born into a family is getting so much air-time while at that very moment people are having their limbs ripped off their bodies, their sculls cracked open, their stomachs torn and their necks gashed in the name of imperialism! That is just one of the reasons (it's a distraction from the "war on" terror and of course the crimes of the FSA) , the other is obviously the profit motive, they have entire shops in London dedicated to Middleton etc. I also cannot deny that it is partly nationalistic, if you make the masses proud of being for an capitalists and imperialist country they will buy more useless commodities to show to themselves how they are proud of being from such a nation that is such and still encourages a monarchy. It's disgraceful and it makes me even more disappointed in my country.

[rednordman]

The only reason we still have a monarchy in the UK is because they bring in tourist revenue. The royal family has no power over the country the power falls to parliment (and unfortunatly the unholy combination of david cameron and nick cleg).that and the fact that some of the richest and most powerful people in the country are related to the royals.

[Anglo-Saxon Philistine]

People are talking about this rubbish in Croatia. In bloody Croatia. The last time we had a king, well, two competing kings, we had to drive them out with bayonets. And now a significant part of the population is fawning over some idiot couple where the husband's mother wears a metal hat and costs more than a guided-missile cruiser.

[Human Liberation Front]

People are talking about this rubbish in Croatia. In bloody Croatia. The last time we had a king, well, two competing kings, we had to drive them out with bayonets. And now a significant part of the population is fawning over some idiot couple where the husband's mother wears a metal hat and costs more than a guided-missile cruiser.
Makes me wonder though, if it weren't for the dismal conditions of the human race and we actually had a society where everyone was well off, would we give a damn about the royal couple and their child? I think this whole obsession is nothing more than escapism from the reality of our individual lives.

[Anglo-Saxon Philistine]

I think the communist society rather precludes having one family that is lavishly paid for the difficult task of breathing.

[Human Liberation Front]

I think the communist society rather precludes having one family that is lavishly paid for the difficult task of breathing.
Of course, but hypothetically speaking. Say if we had the remains of this archaic corpse of feudalism lying around in it's fetid glory (Just for shits and giggles).

[Popular Front of Judea]

Hmm if the sizeable assets of the royal family were expropriated and the royals were kept on as tour guides and caretakers I might just agree with you.


Makes me wonder though, if it weren't for the dismal conditions of the human race and we actually had a society where everyone was well off, would we give a damn about the royal couple and their child? I think this whole obsession is nothing more than escapism from the reality of our individual lives.

[Human Liberation Front]

Hmm if the sizeable assets of the royal family were expropriated and the royals were kept on as tour guides and caretakers I might just agree with you.
Hmmm putting the royals to use, now that's a concept worth looking more into! Considering all they amount to are a pile of polished turds at the moment.

[Rural Comrade]

I think it would be a STEP to make them the "Symbol of the State" like in Japan where the monarchy has zero power and I'm pretty sure Cambodia is like that to but I've already gone on my rant on why I hate the crown.

[Rugged Collectivist]

Related:

https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/533604_551540358237925_1669151460_n.jpg

[Synthesis-]

Americans seem to care more than British people lol strange as fuck. Every time I see this on tv i seriously cringe. I've always been hostile to all forms of monarch even when i called myself a "conservative" it always irked me with their privilege and wealth and status.

[brigadista]

brand windsor................

[Flying Purple People Eater]

I think it would be a STEP to make them the "Symbol of the State" like in Japan where the monarchy has zero power and I'm pretty sure Cambodia is like that to but I've already gone on my rant on why I hate the crown.

That's not a step at all. It makes it look as if Japan's disgusting noble house was 'special', as if it ever meant anything other than setting in motion the creation of an Eastern British empire, scramble for South-East Asia and all.

If anything, it's prolonging a long overdue abortion of the filthy remnants of an elitist, racist (rule by royal blood!) political contraption.

[Hegemonicretribution]

I think people got it more or less spot on when they said that it was closer to idolising popstars, than even tolerating a political stance. In the UK many people resent the monarchy, many others are so unaffected by it that they simply don't care at all. There are a few traditionalists, but even then they are more like twice a year churchgoers; they may wave the flags for a day but then they go back to their lives.

I think perhaps a more apt parallel could be drawn with 'Murray Mania.' The fact is that a large number of people who couldn't give a shit about tennis, who perhaps never watched a game and even went out their way to avoid it, just happened to zone in a little bit this year. I don't even think it is national pride (Scotland/British issues aside), rather it is simply clinging to a sense of identity and/or success that may be lacking for many people.

I think for a lot of people (not just in the UK) things are now happening so fast, and there is so much publicity for everything, that it is difficult to truly determine what the major events are. It is not like the moon landing, or the '53 Coronation, when major events were clearly signposted and no one disputed them. Now everything is vying for attention, and what may have seen esoteric originally was in fact a game changer, and the hot pick of the moment may have been quickly forgotten.

What this leads us to is a situation whereby people participate for fear of retrospectively regretting what they missed out on. This leads to a snowball effect where the hype is self perpetuating, and then everyone kind of goes along with it. After all it would feel silly not to, and besides everyone else is, so it is less embarrassing to tug one's forelock, wave ridiculous flags, and speculate over the name/sex/age/race/species of blue blooded progeny.

Incidentally, I had bet on crab.

[darkblues]

db

[Dennis the 'Bloody Peasant']

On a purely selfish note, my second son is gonna be arriving sometime this weekend and I can bet there'll be no 61 gun salute or well-wishes from heads of state for him!! (I'll have to settle for firing off a cap gun a few dozen times and the odd 'Like' on Facebook from work colleagues and distant rellies).

I've never understood the obsession with any form of celebrity; how can their lives hold so much fascination? How much more exciting and rarified an existence do people think they have? They all eat, shit and die like the rest of us...the only major difference is the location for one / all three is more up-market and has a dress code beyond 'no trainers'.
Anywho...fuck the royals, cute baby or no.

[Sasha]

I hope they call him joffrey...

Also, Congratz Dennis...

[Rural Comrade]

That's not a step at all. It makes it look as if Japan's disgusting noble house was 'special', as if it ever meant anything other than setting in motion the creation of an Eastern British empire, scramble for South-East Asia and all.

If anything, it's prolonging a long overdue abortion of the filthy remnants of an elitist, racist (rule by royal blood!) political contraption.

True but when I meant a step I meant the lack of power they would have. Yes all monarchs should end up becoming a common folk or shot in due time but we need to strip them of their power. Without any power whatsoever I believe they would be easier to topple them and make them the same status of the working man.

[precarian]

What a pathetic, manufactured spectacle! Royal families...what fucking century is this!?

The thing that absolutely brings my piss to a boil is listening to these young, "cool" presenters and "celebrity" figures fawning over them. Has there ever been a time when the representatives of "hip" youth culture have been in total lockstep with the establishment before?? What a servile generation..

The whole escapade illustrates just how media-led the population is. It's frightening, really!

[Agathor]

The population isn't as royalist as it's made out to be. Polls show that people are very open on the issue, and there was a period after Diana died that it looked like the House of Windsor was in serious trouble.

[TheIrrationalist]

Here in Finland it is everywhere in the news. One of the reasons why I'm sickened by the mainstream media, making stories about crap like this, every fucking time. It just seems to be little less banal story than the usual Hollywood star crap in the news.

Sad the bourgeoisie in Britain never took example of the French.:crying:

[Trap Queen Voxxy]

So, this thread is pretty weird but I like it. ANywhore, I do think Kate and Bill are cute and think monarchies are neat. I don't know why, I just do, I think it's all the glittery ballin antiquated awe of it all or something. But I also think what the Bolsheviks did to the Russian royal family was pretty schweet too.

Also, to inherently relate and conflate fuedalism with the monarchial system of governance is silly and highly inaccurate. Lastly, while it's still utterly disgusting and thoroughly parasitical, just a Snapple fact, the Obamas cost the American tax payer more than the British royal family; so there's that.

I think people however get hyped up about royal shit due to nostalgia but do so largely as it's just the news story of the moment; they're really just celebs at this point. Only weirdos really care about the actual political significance of this shit. Give it a day and it's on to the next.

Thats took way longer to type than originally planned, fack, lawlz.

[piet11111]

I think the american rich and powerful like the royalty so much because they would love to be considered royalty themselves and have the status and legal benefits that go along with that.

We all know they consider us peasants anyway so why would they not want to inflate their self-image with something as nonsensical as an aristocratic title.

[DasFapital]

Looking at those sorry sacks of royal shit across the Atlantic is the only time I actually feel proud to be an American. We had the foresight to kick the crown out of this country and for that I am grateful.

[Hegemonicretribution]

The royals are like an annoying advert; so long as they warrant a reaction they will cause a divison. Where there is a division people will actually care enough to respond. That means that by strongly rejecting the monarchy, we simply fuel the royalists.

The last remnant of the royals is celebrity. It is only through ignoring them that they will wither and die. They are hardly a thrat, and all nations have their parasites, why not save our breath and in doing so deal them a deathblow?

If the royals are considered at all it should be as the butt of a joke, for this is what they are. They are not worthy of serious objection, for they are not serious.

[Sir Comradical]

I am a bit disturbed at all the lefties on my wall talking about guillotining the fucking infant. Wtf.

[3OPNCA]

Personally, I can't see what all of the fuss is about, but, to each their own. Even my Dad was curious about it - and that's saying something because he's an old school Soviet Communist who hates technology and British people (actually, everyone but Serb's, Jewish people and most South-Eastern European people). :o

[OHumanista]

I know this polish guy who absolutely loves monarchies and wants absolute monarchies back because he wants rulers "with class, sophistication and nobility" instead of "gross" industrial capitalists or even worse, "unwashed dumb workers" like in socialism.
So I am not surprised at all.

[TooManyQuestions]

I have always been dumbfounded as to why Americans give crap about royalty. Makes me want to dump tea into a harbor or something. In a way, its the same love/hate relationship that people here have with celebrities. Everything is based on celebrity brands, including our elections. I have heard that Americans pay more attention to this nonsense than the British.

Not to sound sexist, but in my experience it is only women who follow the monarchy. Obviously a condition of raising our daughters to believe that they will grow up to be princesses (how is that for a fucked up expectation of life?)

Anyway, I watched the news a few years back where brits were complaining about millions of pounds being spent on a royal wedding, when austerity was cutting actual services that real people use. Then they interviewed this twit in a silly hat who said that people just didn't understand how privileged they were to have a royal family.

At least here in the states they have the decency to lie to us and tell us that we'll be rich and famous someday. We have our own aristocratic class, but those families at least pretend to have tugged on their own bootstraps.

[A.J.]

Personally, I blame Cromwell.

If he hadn't unleashed such an awful tyranny across the country as Lord Protector, when Britain was briefly a republic, there wouldn't have been such popular demand to restore the monarchy just a couple of years after his death.

Very much an opportunity missed.

[brigadista]

Personally, I blame Cromwell.

If he hadn't unleashed such an awful tyranny across the country as Lord Protector, when Britain was briefly a republic, there wouldn't have been such popular demand to restore the monarchy just a couple of years after his death.

Very much an opportunity missed.

dont you mean a religious fundamentalist military dictatorship?

[A.J.]

dont you mean a religious fundamentalist military dictatorship?

Yes.

I believe it's called a "theocracy" or something along those lines.

[The Intransigent Faction]

Yes I know. I am probably one of the few Americans who does know that. However to my knowledge the Governor General there has never dismissed a Prime Minister at the alleged urging of the CIA as the Australian Governor did in 1975

Nope. The GG has temporarily shut the doors of parliament at the PM's whim a couple of times, but that's about it.

[UncleLenin]

By definition, the monarchy is not fascist. It is an age old tyranny that needs to be abolished. It steals millions of pounds from the UK economy every year just because they happened to be born into a certain bloodline.