Royalty

Democracy isn't always best. Some tyrants can run a country much better than simple democracy can. Saddam Hussein anyone?

Also, how likely is it that the Queen ever be guilty of dodgy financial dealings? The money she gets from the government, and the permanent position she holds, ensures that she never gets caught in the shenanigans that afflict Irish presidents.

Really? I would. If the country I live in, and am a citizen of, is being invaded by a foreign power, I would take up arms, and defend my country, and my family and my neighbours. I wouldn't ever want to do it, but it would be a an easy choice. When countries declare war on another, atrocities are always committed. I would protect what is dear to me, as best as i could, because it would be something I believe in.

I would never want to fight anyone, and the whole concept of fighting someone I don't even know, based on them coming from a different area to me, and that somehow being important seems so illogical to me.

If there was ever a war in this country I would emigrate. Happiness and quality of life is important to me, not an area defined by some random set of borders.

I would never want to fight anyone, and the whole concept of fighting someone I don't even know, based on them coming from a different area to me, and that somehow being important seems so illogical to me.

If there was ever a war in this country I would emigrate. Happiness and quality of life is important to me, not an area defined by some random set of borders.

The middle classes are glorious.

*I'll clap my hands, and you can just rattle your jewellery**.

*Words taken from the great modern bard.

The idea that in the UK that a single person can pass on to their child the right to control and decide over the lives of many is a complete antithesis to democracy.

Really? Shit that was my plan. I had only another 1,560,172 people to kill before I was first in line to the throne.

Democracy isn't always best. Some tyrants can run a country much better than simple democracy can. Saddam Hussein anyone?

Also, how likely is it that the Queen ever be guilty of dodgy financial dealings? The money she gets from the government, and the permanent position she holds, ensures that she never gets caught in the shenanigans that afflict Irish presidents.

There have been innumerable financial scandals invoving royals. The Netherlands, Spain and our own dear Prince Andrew to name but the tip of te iceberg.

I am sorry to say but your notion of political theory appears to owe a lot to the Daily Express. Ask people in countries who do not have democracy if they would like it. Look at the Arab Spring. People want to control their destinies.

Just to clear this up. Would the monarchy be abolished tomororw (I wake every day in hope) we would not have a president like the United States, neither would have have "President Blair".

We would simply replace the the Queen with an elected head of state, the difference being should their term finished (or they die) their child does not inherit the same powers.

Look to the Republic of Ireland, they have their head of state, President Higgins, and the Prime Minister (Taoiseach). Most power rests with the Taoiseach who is appointed by the President, like Cameron and our Queen.

The idea that in the UK that a single person can pass on to their child the right to control and decide over the lives of many is a complete antithesis to democracy.

Expressed far better than I have been able to.

Here's a list for you to be getting on with GAG2

http://www.britannia.com/history/h6f.html

And Prince Edward is a waste of skin. Didn't he get a note from his Mum asking that he be allowed to leave the Marines?

Democracy isn't always best. Some tyrants can run a country much better than simple democracy can. Saddam Hussein anyone?.

No politic is perfect, but democracy is insofar the best one that's suitable for everyone (personal feeling is socialism, but that's another ball games not everyone agree on).

The queen is old hat.

She loves new hats, actually. That we pay for.

Democracy isn't always best. Some tyrants can run a country much better than simple democracy can. Saddam Hussein .

As hilariously illustrated by sacha baron Cohen in the dictator movie
Hear castro's Cuba had some good things going for it

There have been innumerable financial scandals invoving royals. The Netherlands, Spain and our own dear Prince Andrew to name but the tip of te iceberg.

Yes, I knew this, but it is a matter of scale.

I am sorry to say but your notion of political theory appears to owe a lot to the Daily Express. Ask people in countries who do not have democracy if they would like it. Look at the Arab Spring. People want to control their destinies.

A rather low blow there Clive, but I don't think I have ever read the Daily Express; my newspaper of choice is the Guardian. As for my knowledge of political theory is concerned, it is certainly broader than many other people's I think. I have lived in many countries, and as long as I have known myself, I would discuss politics - first with my grandfather (regarding the Vietnam War), then later as an adult, when living in Cameroon, I would discuss the political climate with any and everyone. Sadly though, most of my exposure was to career diplomats, or academics. But I still managed to talk with the average citizen, to find out what they wanted politically. I was very interested.

In Africa, we* have Presidents that work to change the law and the constitution, so as to enable themselves to continue in power long after is legal. Paul Biya is one, and there are many others. So, is a democratically elected president really such an improvement, for everyone?

*It should be THEY, as I am not a citizen of any African country.

And Prince Edward is a waste......

Agreed.

There have been innumerable financial scandals invoving royals. The Netherlands, Spain and our own dear Prince Andrew to name but the tip of te iceberg.

I'm on your side Clive, but that's a poor argument.

That just shows some royals, like people in any other walk of life are corrupt, but isn't a reason against royalty in itself.

John, it was answer tot he point that Royals were above financial corruption.

GAG2, those dictators are not democratically in power. Hitler (Godwin) came to power through elections; Mugabe stages pretend elections. They are or were not democratic. Also we are not talking of replacing a figurehead monarch with anything other thana figurehead Head of State.Sadly the dictators of whom you speak, often wish to become monarchs and many seek to pass power to their children.

The Daily Express comment was a low blow (I am not even sure that it is still published) which is why I put the word "appear" in the sentence. Sadly the views that you express are not far off those of that newspaper.

I believe my point was, that the present Monarch is above financial corruption. My affection for the rest of her family becomes drastically reduced, the further the apple falls from the tree.

And to answer your last statement.....Paul Biya isn't a dictator. He is democratically elected. But as with many presidents, he is moulding the system to suit himself. And yes, it is expected that Paul Biya somehow will hand over to his son, who is still a mere youth.

The American example of a republic, and a their presidential system - I like that one. The others, I don't like as much. And its my view that the monarchy here isn't so bad. But even Liz won't hand over to Chuck, now would Andy or Freeloader Eddie be given a shout, because she knows worthless when she sees it. Its working well here........but clearly, its not universally appreciated.

GAG, a president, however democratially elected who moulds the process to keep himself in power and place his som in after him is not democratic.

The issue we have is with the monarchy and not with one individual. A system that means that Charles inherits by virtue of his birth is wrong. The Queen has no option, under the current system, to do anything other than hand over to her eldest son.

You may like the American system but you do not explain why you don't like Parliamentary democracy and why you dismiss the republican systems of Ireland, Finland or Germany (or indeed many other places).

I like the American system more, for the simple reason that I have lived there, so know it better. I've never been to Ireland*, Finland or Germany, nor looked into their politics, so couldn't give any opinion on those. But especially Germany's, I think could be an excellent example.

I did also say, when I posted earlier, that it is highly possible that coming from Grenada may have coloured my judgement, as to affections for this monarchy. It is also the case that Third World presidents may have put me off somewhat from the republican system. A misfortune of fate, is where I was raised, and the peoples that I was raised with. .

*Financial irregularities?

^Totally off topic,nothing to do with royalty.My brother married a gal from Grenada

There was a beautiful young girl from Greneda
My brother tried to serenade her
Not able to sing
He bought her a ring
and I can't get a last line...

***And now his happiness is paid fer***

Grenada [sounds like - Gree Nay Duh]

GAG2

GAG

Tsk, tsk.

I apologise in advance, for the great offence that this may cause, but the BBC is running a series called The Queen and I. I've just watched some of it, and it is brilliant. But of course, I would say so, as I am a silly, misguided Royalist. For the rest of you, that hate children, love communism, and belong to the funny handshakes brigade.......knock yourselves out. Liz is pucca, and the Beeb is honouring her.

Gaggle
Corgi defender

I apologise in advance, for the great offence that this may cause, but the BBC is running a series called The Queen and I. I've just watched some of it, and it is brilliant. But of course, I would say so

How did you get to film a series with the Queen?