Monarchy vs Republic? Anyone want a civil war?

A contemplative thought came to my mind today. Yes, I know steampunk is fiction, but go with this, it could make for an interesting discourse.....

In light of our fascination with steampunk, firmly based as it is in the British system of monarchy, should Australia remain a monarchy, or cut ties with Britain and become a Republic?

Take up your swords, pitchforks and death rays, and lets have a good old civil war over the matter!

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jace Corbiczetzva on October 7, 2012 at 2:35am

Seeing as I took an oath to serve Queen and Country ... which I take quite seriously ... I could not even contemplate ceding from the Commonwealth.

Some may deride the monarchy as outdated but, I think there is a bond there that we unconsciously have that gives us sense of pride and place.

My question would be: is there any real benefit from becoming a republic?

Permalink Reply by Prof. Sebastian Fate on October 7, 2012 at 3:51am

The Westminster system ( of which ours is a version ) has produced a republic with ( in our case ) a head of state who reigns but does not rule .
During the Republican debate a few years ago I pointed out that the legitimacy of the current Monarch might be questioned following the the unfortunate events of 1485 and the overthrow of another anointed Monarch in 1688 . This line of argument sank without trace .
We continue to have a sentimental regard for Great Britain but the events of 1941 and post-war realities mean that we have to look elsewhere for our national friends .

Permalink Reply by Deborah Clark on October 9, 2012 at 3:20am

And the Queen loves horses and dogs - I find it hard to dislike her.

Permalink Reply by Prof. Sebastian Fate on October 9, 2012 at 3:59am

The Professor recently came across an account of how our dear Queen feeds her domestic canines .
The meal is prepared in the Royal kitchen - a footman hands it to the Queen - donning rubber gloves Her Majesty mixes the food - each Corgi has a bowl with its name into which HRH places food - one presumes the process is reversed when the dogs have finished .
I cannot vouch for this but it does seem to have an air of truth .
Where this might leave our proposed Civil War is anybodies guess .

Permalink Reply by James R. Murray on October 9, 2012 at 4:34am

Modern Republican: Well, considering those dogs are treated with much more respect and worth than an entire race was treated when the British decided this was Terra Nulis, it may indeed have much worth....

Historican Monarchist: Hold on there old chap, the British did wonderful things for this country, wot! They filled it with civilisation, opened it up to farming, transported our British culture, as well as pretty garden lifestyle to your plain and dry island. We civilised it by Jove.

MR: You treated it as a prison, then gave the criminals the land once they filled their term, as it cost to much to return them. You cleared the pristine environment to create future problems of erosion, monoculture and an agro-chemical industry. Your native species either died in our harsh environment, or thrived to the point of taking over and choking out the native wildlife. Don't even get me started on feral animals.

HM: but we introduced fox huntin.....oh. Well, at the time we knew no better, hind sight is a wonderful thing is it not. You wish to throw away 200 years of tradition, a tradition based on over a 1000 years of British history, because of some modern Environmental and Social problems. Pish posh. History stands for all!

MR: Yeah, we can learn from our mistakes, cut out the dead and useless wood, and move onto something new and exciting.

HM: Young man, are you suggesting our Queen is dead and Useless! *struggles from glove*

MR: no no, she is well suited to the governing of the country of her ancestry. An amicable lady, who waves grandly. However, as the Head of State of a country across the sea? Maybe we could choose our own, be part of our own future!

HM: Sacrilegious! Throwing away the past. You, you, buffoon *slaps him across the face with glove*

MR: *dons akubra laced with crocodile teeth, and wraps rags around palms, raising fists* Yer on mate!

*Much scuffling ensures, amid calls of "philistine" "toff" "braggart" "buffoon" "nob" "yob" and so fourth.*

Permalink Reply by Prof. Sebastian Fate on October 9, 2012 at 4:28pm

A little research might suggest that the Colonial Authorities in London were often thwarted in their attempts to deal fairly with local issues by the absolute refusal of our ancestors to behave themselves .

Little has changed .

Permalink Reply by James R. Murray on October 9, 2012 at 11:36pm

Exactly! Foreigners, telling us how to do things! We make an absolute schamozzle of things all by ourselves, thank you very much!

Permalink Reply by Deborah Clark on October 11, 2012 at 11:32pm

But we do so badly choosing - maybe a lottery and the winner can be the new monarch.....

Permalink Reply by Prof. Sebastian Fate on October 12, 2012 at 12:25am

As my dear friend WSC once said democracy is the least worse form of government .

Permalink Reply by Deborah Clark on October 11, 2012 at 11:30pm

Nice to know I do something Queen like each day. I wonder if she deals with the result.

Permalink Reply by Prof. Sebastian Fate on October 12, 2012 at 12:23am

The Professor has just been informed that he is no longer following this discussion ( ? ) .
Tricky Monarchists everywhere !

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