Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site dciem.UUCP Path: utzoo!dciem!mmt From: mmt@dciem.UUCP (Martin Taylor) Newsgroups: net.misc Subject: Re: The love affair between the "news" media and British non-commoners Message-ID: <718@dciem.UUCP> Date: Sat, 18-Feb-84 13:54:07 EST Article-I.D.: dciem.718 Posted: Sat Feb 18 13:54:07 1984 Date-Received: Sat, 18-Feb-84 18:22:40 EST References: <935@pegasus.UUCP> Organization: D.C.I.E.M., Toronto, Canada Lines: 27 =========== Perhaps the Royal Family has the Right of Way. :-) =========== Actually, my failing memory tells me that they do. So does the Royal Mail. I am sometimes puzzled by the failure of people in republics to see the benefits of having a Royal family (which really implies that there should also be a nobility). It's a great way to split loyalty to the country from loyalty to a political party or regime. Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition is the "official" name of the minority in Parliament, and one shouldn't forget the "Loyal". A second function of Royalty is precisely to provide the pageantry that people seem to need as a symbol of patriotism. Many US Presidents have had problems with both needing and needing to avoid this kind of pageantry. It also helps a little in preventing the development of political "cults of personality". Another valid reason for having a Monarch is that there exists a person who cannot be suspected of ulterior political motives, but who is able by training and by position to advise the politicians in power. With luck, the advice may help in maintaining sane policies. Do you think King Juan Carlos of Spain has had nothing to do with the return of democracy and political stability after Franco? Could he have done it as a politician? -- Martin Taylor {allegra,linus,ihnp4,uw-beaver,floyd,ubc-vision}!utzoo!dciem!mmt