fons_vitae Posted September 24, 2013 Share Posted September 24, 2013 I've read my share of (mostly Catholic) apologies for monarchy, almost always hereditary in nature (since sometimes an elected monarch is dismissed as a republic by any other name). I've tried to wrap my brain around it, but I still can't see what benefits a monarchy would confer that one couldn't find in a hierarchical republic. If you're talking about a more "regal" feel with pageantry, venerable histories and traditional values, a check on pure democracy, or simply "rule by the one," you could have all of that without a formal monarchy (and many monarchies today only retain reserve powers like in Britain, or are figureheads like in Japan). And then, when dynasties change, how do you really determine who's the legitimate monarch? If it's just whoever happens to be in power, that's just as arbitrary as a democratic popularity contest. :-/ (What we really need is a merit-based system.) Any thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4588686 Posted September 24, 2013 Share Posted September 24, 2013 Muck fonarchy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhuturePriest Posted September 24, 2013 Share Posted September 24, 2013 Muck fonarchy Looks like someone never got hooked on Phonics when he was a kid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fons_vitae Posted September 24, 2013 Author Share Posted September 24, 2013 ...Is this the way the thread ends? lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Era Might Posted September 24, 2013 Share Posted September 24, 2013 (edited) I don't think monarchy is uniquely Catholic. It was ancient Greece and Rome that gave us the examples of democracy, and the church (obviously) has inherited much of that legacy. Monarchy has a certain history in the West, but I don't think it is somehow essential to traditional Western or Catholic civilization (one might argue it is even a deviation). Edited September 24, 2013 by Era Might Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHICAGOSTYLE Posted September 24, 2013 Share Posted September 24, 2013 While monarchy can be easily abused, I believe it can also be quite beneficial under a responsible and compassionate monarch. In order for this to happen a ruler must have an intimate relationship with it's people, country, and culture. This is easier said than done considering its in mans nature to abuse power. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4588686 Posted September 24, 2013 Share Posted September 24, 2013 While monarchy can be easily abused, I believe it can also be quite beneficial under a responsible and compassionate monarch. In order for this to happen a ruler must have an intimate relationship with it's people, country, and culture. This is easier said than done considering its in mans nature to abuse power. Fascism Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Not The Philosopher Posted September 24, 2013 Share Posted September 24, 2013 The one thing that hereditary monarchy has going for it is that the person who winds up King/Queen might not necessarily want to rule. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fons_vitae Posted September 24, 2013 Author Share Posted September 24, 2013 I don't think it is somehow essential to traditional Western or Catholic civilization (one might argue it is even a deviation). I'm inclined to agree... a nice and balanced government is what St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Robert Bellarmine advocated, in any case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Apteka Posted September 24, 2013 Share Posted September 24, 2013 Any thoughts? Cf. Julius Evola, Revolt Against The Modern World Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basilisa Marie Posted September 24, 2013 Share Posted September 24, 2013 Monarchies are dumb. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Apteka Posted September 25, 2013 Share Posted September 25, 2013 Monarchies are dumb. Except for heaven Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fons_vitae Posted September 25, 2013 Author Share Posted September 25, 2013 Except for heaven Agreed... and of course only God is fit for an absolute monarchy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Apteka Posted September 25, 2013 Share Posted September 25, 2013 Agreed... and of course only God is fit for an absolute monarchy. According to Aristotle in his Ethics, Monarchy was suitable for small primitive societies where some men greatly excelled others in virtue and statecraft. In such a society where one far outstrips others, it is just to follow him, but as societies develop and the "gap" closes between men, sole rule is no longer tolerable and is usually overthrown. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basilisa Marie Posted September 25, 2013 Share Posted September 25, 2013 Except for heaven Agreed... and of course only God is fit for an absolute monarchy. Meh, monarchies are a human construct, and God uses human language to get his point across. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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