Why does British Monarchy still Exist - Literature review Example

Title: Why does the British monarchy still exist? (Even if there is a democratic government) Name Tutor Course Institution Date Why does the British monarchy still exist? (Even if there is a democratic government) Introduction Although the United Kingdom has adopted democracy in its government, British monarchy still exists in the nation and is constitutionalized for some reasons. The British monarchy, also referred to as monarchy in the United Kingdom is constitutionalized and governs its territories overseas. Powers are bestowed to only the king or queen of the land who is also considered as commander in chief armed forces of the British government and members of his or her immediate family are also entrusted with certain responsibilities, be it representational, official or diplomatic. According to Olechnowicz (2007), the monarchy powers as head of state are constitutionalized. The constitution also provides for an oath of allegiance to the monarch and successors. Democracy in Britain is reflected in the legislative contribution that people are given a chance to participate in election of representatives of the House of Commons. However, this is not the case in some national activities such as considering division of class as quality. Britain has two different houses; the lower house also known as the House of Commons which constitutes of a legislative chamber of representatives that were elected democratically by people and the upper house also known as the House of Lords whose representatives are not elected but appointed by the monarch in power or inherit from their predecessors. The Lords have certain privileges and power entrusted to them. Although the government practices, democracy, monarchy is still a major aspect in Britain governance.This paper illustrates the reasons as to why the British monarchy still exists in United Kingdom even after a democratic government has been instituted. Literature Review Representative the nation’s tradition Monarchy is considered by most Nationals as a representative of their tradition. According to Wilkinson (2007), the 2007 BBC poll indicated that 80% of nationals’ interview stated their support for monarchy type of governance stating that it reminded them of their roots in the unique tradition and ceremonies that people across the nation love. For instance, the pound which is a trading currency of the nation has the Queen’s head. Nationals consider that as a sign of national pride and their nation’s identity. This was reflected in the campaign aimed at saving the pound as people reacted to Euro. It’s a tradition and culture of the people instituted in the Act of succession that no member of the royal family will be allowed to marry a Catholic but only from the Church of England. Ruling out monarchy might affect the Church of England by allowing succession to the throne itself by a Catholic married into the royal family. However, the system is also changing with time to adapt to modernity which republicans emphasize that it lacks in monarchy. Current monarchy governance does not allow the royal family to marrying Catholics and succession through its Act of settlement, however, this Act can be adjusted to allow marriage but not succession to thethrone just like the 1980 minor changes in Swedish monarchy (Olechnowicz, 2007). Symbolism is an important aspect of Britain nationals. People of Britain believe that, having the queen as head of the Church of England and a symbol of her head on the coin means that they are her subjects and she rules them. According to Park (2007), just like symbolism has allowed the catholic church to have religion pinned in schools, work places in religious countries and homes, anyone has also had symbolism as a way of communication and help people understand. A citizen once said that they do not want to be subjects of just anybody. It is evident through symbolism therefore, that people in Britain are in an agreement to support through tax payment and as citizens the royal family which seems absurd according to other states internationally. Turpin & Tomkins (2007) state that monarchy is a system that plays a major role in building morale of the nation. Eliminating monarchy will interfere with the United Kingdom atmosphere. The tradition and identity of it people will be affected. Republicans argue that Britain is a multicultural nation being a colonizer of other minority countries and that monarchy serves as a reminder of the suppression other nations went through and not unity of a nation. However, each nation holds on to tradition and the character of people of England their rituals are held together by monarchy system of the governance. Abolishing the system will mean surrender of these rituals and a peoples’ tradition. Replacing the queen with functionality will seem like a sinister character that people might consider less and will ruin the nation’s morale. Responsibilities of the queen The queen is entrusted with different duties and responsibilities by the monarchy government in operation of the nation. According to Wilkinson (2007), the queen represents her country in politics and other national functionalities.Ambassadorial relationships between Britain and other countries are enhanced by this monarchy system through visits and collaborations among states. in terms of the roles and duties of the queen, it is also hard to tell who will replace the queen is the system is completely scrapped. After taking the oath of allegiance together with her heirs’ bank notes, postage stamps and coins are made with face of the monarch on them. Delegation of powers to work within the state or convention is only granted from the queen who authorizes duties to public bodies, public officers and ministers of the crown. Legislative powers granted to the queen allow her to participate in parliament which also has the power to advice and consent to these powers together with the House of Commons and the House of Lords. There are also judicial, executive and legislative powers entrusted to the Church of England by the queen who is the head. Non-partisan functions performed by the queen cannot be completely withdrawn such as granting honors. Walter Bagehot, a writer of the constitution in 1867 recognized monarchy as a distinguished part of the government which cannot be dishonored by being scrapped. However, the writer failed to mention the efficiency of this system to the government (Durkin and Gay, 2005). Another responsibility of the queen that explains why monarchy still exists in Britain is appointment of a prime minister whenever is necessary. Ministers of the crown serve under the appointed prime minister who has the powers to hire or discharge his subordinates by convention. The leader of the House of Commons is also appointed by the monarch and the leader should be head of coalition with majority house members or of the party with majority. The monarch is responsible for holding private audience with the prime minister where a procedure referred to as kissing of hands is made and the prime minister takes office without undergoing any other formalities. The monarch has more powers in case of a hung or balanced parliament to select the leader, usually from the large party. Request to dissolve parliament is issued to the monarch who might accept or reject depending on constitutional provisions. Although the queen has the power to sign off any kind of legislation before being accepted as law, no powers are given to decide whether to pass law or not to (Olechnowicz, 2007). Revenue Generation As much as many people criticize monarchy based on the fact that the royal family spend at the expense of taxpayers and own hectares of estates in their own name, they are also involved in a bigger part in creation of the nation’s revenue. According to Long&Palmer (2008), the royal family owns grounds, estates and palaces that are a site for tourist attraction. Tourism industry in Britain is booming as tourists flock in to visit these sites, watch guards changing and the queen in the royal places. In 2012, Britain received about four million tourists who visited a district royal place. These provide seasonal jobs at the attraction sites and also contribute largely to the country’s income. Another thing is the exhibitions of royal accouterments and crown jewels which most tourists like seeing and having a touch of them. Although in a republic system the items could also be maintained as historical anachronisms in glass enclosures, it is different when the monarchy system is still there. Cronin(2001) states that, other countries like France who adopted the republican system and scrapped monarchy do not do well in tourism compared to Britain, despite the fact that it is offering art collections that used to belong to the royal family and palaces which are inhabited by unfortunate gentry. Although there is a democratic government, monarchy cannot be scrapped completely. Social contribution and equality Supporters of monarchy argue that monarchy promotes social equality and that most societies known to practice monarchy are the most egalitarian. Although republicans suggest that the royal family owning hectares of lands and much more wealth promotes inequality in the society, the absurdness and out-dated nature of monarchy is a major reason why it should be supported. According to Park (2007), considering rationality is not a major basis for measuring efficacy in institutions, this includes the regime itself. Monarchy considers people for what they are and not what they do based on the fact that other than merit, luck also plays a role in the fate of people’s lives. For instance, Spain embraces more equality than Portugal and it practices monarchy unlike the later which practices the presidential governance and that is why people support redistribution. Denmark and Finland Canada and the United states are other examples of such comparisons. The royal household has employees who work for the queen and her family and are paid by the state. The monarchy system including the royal family has accommodated a percentage of British people that could otherwise be rendered jobless. Abolishing monarchy will rule out the royal family and dismissal of workers which as a result will increase unemployment level in the country. Durkin and Gay, 2005) states that, about 70% to 80% of British people advocate that the monarchy system should continue during a poll conducted even after the death of Princess Diana of Wales where people questioned the diplomacy of the royal family. Monarchy inspires loyalty between people of the state by enhancing the emotional bonds between true people of a common English setting and not sentimentality. In this case, the system therefore serves as a perfect constraint to non-democracy but supportive to democracy. Impossible to abolish The aspect of democracy in Britain is that anything can be changed by a simple Act of Parliament. However, it is has been proven beyond doubt that getting rid of or scrapping monarchy in Britain has proven impossible. David Lloyd George abolished many powers that had been entrusted to the House of Lords in 1911. In this case, the Lords were allowed to vote for obliteration of their supremacies and more harsh penalties against them. Monarchy being a system that ruled over their nation since time memorial, citizens are less convinced to completely scrap this kind of governance (Cronin, 2003). The impossibility to scrap monarchy is also evident in the charity work that the royal family is involved in. Complete abolition of the system will mean that the royal family is not recognized in the country’s governance and becomes like other ordinary families. This might in turn affect the charitable activities that the Queen, King and family do like helping needy people through donations. Benefits accruing o Britain as a result of monarchy therefore makes it almost impossible to remove monarchy (Balmer, 2009). The crown of British monarchy is hereditary from the previous holder of the crown and must be family unlike the United States where the president’s office is elective. The monarchy system of heredity therefore provides balanced participation and representation of the government. The balanced participation and representation exemplifies the government as most efficient. Monarchy therefore acts as a unifying element through which all government functions are performed. According to Turpin & Tomkins (2007), the symbolism displays continuity for the country’s governance in challenging situations such as war by providing representing government duties to the public. Critics of democracy have long stated that democracy leads to irrationality both economically and in the general operations of a nation. However, governing powers in England are restricted to the executive arm of government and the legitimacy of political roles in a monarch system is valid by convention. The counsel of minsters limits all authority to symbolic responsibilities and therefore duties of the monarch such as ministers’ appointment and dissolving of parliament do not threated the structure of England politics. Conclusion It is evident that Britain is still holding on to the monarch system of governance although it has also embraced a democratic government for a number of reasons. The monarchy system has a number of benefits that cannot be completely replaced by republic governance by adopting full democracy. Advantages accrued to England by virtue of the queen and her royal family who are representatives of monarchy has proved beyond doubt to be of more value to the nation as a whole. Revenue generated from tourism promoted by monarchy benefits taxpayers and genera economic growth. The British people identify weaknesses of the system but most of them still support its continuity due to aspects like social contribution, Queen’s responsibility together with those entrusted to royal family, impossibility to replace it and above all the British tradition which monarchy represents. Bibliography  Balmer, J. M. T 2009, Management decision: Scrutinising the British Monarchy. Report Journal Article Vol.47 Issue 4. Cundall, E 1964. Antecedents of the Monarchy in Ancient Israel. London, London school of theology. Retrieved from: Wilkinson, P 2007, The British Monarchy For Dummies. Chichester, John Wiley & Sons. . Cronin, S, 2003, A libertarian defense of the monarchy. London, Libertarian alliance. Retrieved from: http://www.libertarian.co.uk/lapubs/polin/polin174.pdf Park, A 2007, British social attitudes perspectives on a changing society : the 23rd report. London, SAGE. . Turpin, C., & Tomkins, A 2007, British government and the constitution: text and materials. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press. Retrieved from: Long, P., & Palmer, N. J 2008, Royal tourism: excursions around monarchy. Clevedon, Channel View Publications. Retrieved from: Olechnowicz, A. (2007). The monarchy and the British nation, 1780 to the present. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press. Durkin, M and Gay, O, 2005. The royal prerogative.Parliament and constitution Center. Retrieved from: Read More

It’s a tradition and culture of the people instituted in the Act of succession that no member of the royal family will be allowed to marry a Catholic but only from the Church of England. Ruling out monarchy might affect the Church of England by allowing succession to the throne itself by a Catholic married into the royal family. However, the system is also changing with time to adapt to modernity which republicans emphasize that it lacks in monarchy. Current monarchy governance does not allow the royal family to marrying Catholics and succession through its Act of settlement, however, this Act can be adjusted to allow marriage but not succession to thethrone just like the 1980 minor changes in Swedish monarchy (Olechnowicz, 2007).

Symbolism is an important aspect of Britain nationals. People of Britain believe that, having the queen as head of the Church of England and a symbol of her head on the coin means that they are her subjects and she rules them. According to Park (2007), just like symbolism has allowed the catholic church to have religion pinned in schools, work places in religious countries and homes, anyone has also had symbolism as a way of communication and help people understand. A citizen once said that they do not want to be subjects of just anybody.

It is evident through symbolism therefore, that people in Britain are in an agreement to support through tax payment and as citizens the royal family which seems absurd according to other states internationally. Turpin & Tomkins (2007) state that monarchy is a system that plays a major role in building morale of the nation. Eliminating monarchy will interfere with the United Kingdom atmosphere. The tradition and identity of it people will be affected. Republicans argue that Britain is a multicultural nation being a colonizer of other minority countries and that monarchy serves as a reminder of the suppression other nations went through and not unity of a nation.

However, each nation holds on to tradition and the character of people of England their rituals are held together by monarchy system of the governance. Abolishing the system will mean surrender of these rituals and a peoples’ tradition. Replacing the queen with functionality will seem like a sinister character that people might consider less and will ruin the nation’s morale. Responsibilities of the queen The queen is entrusted with different duties and responsibilities by the monarchy government in operation of the nation.

According to Wilkinson (2007), the queen represents her country in politics and other national functionalities.Ambassadorial relationships between Britain and other countries are enhanced by this monarchy system through visits and collaborations among states. in terms of the roles and duties of the queen, it is also hard to tell who will replace the queen is the system is completely scrapped. After taking the oath of allegiance together with her heirs’ bank notes, postage stamps and coins are made with face of the monarch on them.

Delegation of powers to work within the state or convention is only granted from the queen who authorizes duties to public bodies, public officers and ministers of the crown. Legislative powers granted to the queen allow her to participate in parliament which also has the power to advice and consent to these powers together with the House of Commons and the House of Lords. There are also judicial, executive and legislative powers entrusted to the Church of England by the queen who is the head.

Non-partisan functions performed by the queen cannot be completely withdrawn such as granting honors. Walter Bagehot, a writer of the constitution in 1867 recognized monarchy as a distinguished part of the government which cannot be dishonored by being scrapped. However, the writer failed to mention the efficiency of this system to the government (Durkin and Gay, 2005). Another responsibility of the queen that explains why monarchy still exists in Britain is appointment of a prime minister whenever is necessary.

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