[sitetest]

Dear royalcello,

Or Catholic monarchs like Henry VIII (remember that it is as a Catholic that he had a mistress he wished to make his second wife)? Here, we have a Catholic king who led to the heresy, over time, of an entire country.

Or perhaps Edward II? Or Louis XIV?

I'm not a monarchy afficionado as you are. I'm sure that you can name at least three good Catholic monarchs for every bad one I can name. But I'm sure there are at least as many bad as good. Certainly, there are more bad Catholic monarchs then there are canonized ones.

I'm not against monarchy, per se. Nor am I terribly enamored with democracy, or even republicanism.

I am against getting rid of monarchy where it currently exists, except for the most extreme reasons, and I do think that monarchs ought to be more than figureheads.

But neither do I think the case is well-made that monarchy is substantially preferable to constitutional republicanism, nor do I thing that the case is made at all that countries with long histories of republican government (even bad republican government) can, or should move to monarchy.


sitetest

[royalcello]

Henry VIII is certainly an embarrassment to advocates of Christian monarchy. But if the bad monarchs of history constitute an argument against monarchy, than the bad democratically elected leaders of history constitute an argument against democracy. Actually, from your refreshingly moderate comments I think you understand this.

Louis XIV, I would say, was mixed rather than thoroughly bad. Certainly he was selfish & conceited and waged unnecessary wars. But he also was a great patron of the arts and did a lot for French culture and prestige. As a musician, this area is important to me. And would France be as popular a tourist destination today without Versailles?

I am against getting rid of monarchy where it currently exists, except for the most extreme reasons, and I do think that monarchs ought to be more than figureheads.

I'm glad to hear it! I will admit that I can come across as a bit zealous and fanatical regarding monarchy since it resonates so deeply with me in ways that are sometimes difficult to explain. But I can also applaud reasoned and sensible sentiments such as yours.

nor do I think...that countries with long histories of republican government...can, or should move to monarchy.

Perhaps surprisingly, I agree! But the only European countries to which this really applies are Switzerland, San Marino, and Iceland. The others, especially those for which there are still legitimate claimants to the thrones, ought to be monarchies.