This essay discusses the advantages and disadvantages of the contemporary British Monarchy. *** Diese Arbeit beschäftigt sich mit den zeitgemäßen Vor- und Nachteilen der Monarchie in Groß Britannien und diskutiert auch die Möglichkeit ihrer weiteren Aufrechterhaltung.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Advantages: Traditional, Participating, Unifying
3. Disadvantages: Expensive, Restricting, Unpopular
4. Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
This essay explores the contemporary relevance of the British monarchy by examining its dual role as a traditional, unifying institution versus its status as an expensive and potentially restrictive symbol in 21st-century Great Britain.
- The historical and traditional significance of the British Crown
- The limited political but symbolic power of the monarch
- Economic implications and taxpayer funding of the royal family
- Sociological perspectives on monarchy, tradition, and national identity
- Statistical trends regarding the popularity of the monarchy
Excerpt from the Book
Disadvantages: Expensive, Restricting, Unpopular
When studying the Forbes List of the Richest Nobles one can find the current Queen Elizabeth II. at rank 12 owning a capital of approximately 650 million £14. Although the royal family can fall back upon such an amount of money, one of the biggest public critiques refers to the enormous expenses caused by the monarchs. The reason is very simple. The monarchs do not use the money they have for paying the costs for example for traveling or for maintaining palaces or other royal buildings. All these things are paid by the state according to a law of 176015. Since these days the British tax payers have to finance the life of their monarchs. In 2012 the amount of money spend every year in the so-called civil list was approximately 32 million £16. Other sources even claim that the monarchy produced expenses of 75 million £ a year17. The same author also pointed out what this huge amount of money could have been used for as well: ‘That [the money spent to finance the lifestyle of the royal family IM] would pay the University tuition fees of 75,000 of the poorest students, fund 25 new secondary schools, or pay for the running of an entire hospital’18. Although the royal expenses paid by the state did not reach that level last year, 32 million £ are still a big amount of money which could – in fact – be spent for other purposes. While these expenses are a visible and sometimes even noticeable disadvantage of the English monarchy there are some other negative aspects of having an – like in this case – old and traditional monarchial system. Polly Toynbee, an English journalist, explained this specific negative aspect in an interview published in a German newspaper two years ago. She wrote:
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: The introduction sets the scene by referencing contemporary royal controversies and states the essay's goal to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of the monarchy.
2. Advantages: Traditional, Participating, Unifying: This chapter highlights the monarchy's historical continuity and its role as a stabilizing, non-partisan figurehead that fosters national identity.
3. Disadvantages: Expensive, Restricting, Unpopular: This section addresses the financial burden on taxpayers and the criticism that the monarchy represents an archaic social hierarchy rather than a modern, open society.
4. Conclusion: The conclusion summarizes that while the monarchy provides stability and tradition, its decreasing popularity reflects growing concerns over costs and its outdated social impact.
Keywords
British Monarchy, Queen Elizabeth II, Constitutional Monarchy, Royal Family, British Society, Tradition, Taxpayers, Political Institution, Republican Movement, National Identity, Social Elite, Institutional Criticism, State Opening, Civil List, Modernization.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental focus of this paper?
The paper examines the contemporary state of the British monarchy, specifically balancing the perceived benefits of tradition and national stability against the critiques regarding high costs and social inequality.
What are the primary thematic fields covered?
The themes include the historical roots of the monarchy, the monarch's constitutional role, the financial costs to taxpayers, and the shifting public perception towards the royal family.
What is the primary goal or research question?
The essay aims to analyze the influence and importance of the British monarchy for modern British society by listing and discussing both its advantages and disadvantages.
What methodology is used?
The author employs a literature-based analysis and discourse review, utilizing historical data, journalistic commentary, and statistical surveys regarding public opinion.
What does the main body of the text cover?
The main body is divided into two distinct sections: one evaluating the monarchy as a unifying, traditional force, and the other detailing the financial and social criticisms leveled against it.
Which keywords best characterize the work?
Key terms include British Monarchy, Constitutional Monarchy, National Identity, Public Finance, Social Inequality, and Tradition.
How does the monarchy serve as a "common ground" for the British people?
The text argues that because the monarch is not elected and represents no specific political agenda, they act as a neutral symbol that can be identified with by the entire population, including immigrants.
What is the significance of the "State Opening of Parliament" mentioned in the text?
It serves as a symbolic reminder of the unity of the Parliament’s three parts—the Sovereign, the House of Lords, and the House of Commons—reinforcing the monarch's traditional role.
What is the core of Polly Toynbee's criticism regarding the monarchy?
Toynbee argues that the monarchy perpetuates a feudal mentality and acts as a psychological restriction, hindering the development of a modern, equal democratic identity.
What trend does the author observe regarding public support for the monarchy?
The author notes that statistical data indicates a shrinking popularity of the royal family, accompanied by a rising republican movement calling for the end of the monarchy.
- Quote paper
- Isabel Mund (Author), 2013, The Advantages and Disadvantages of the British Monarchy in 21st Century Great Britain, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/232705
