Today, to those of us in America, the decision whether to be ruled by a monarch or to be able to choose a government seems obvious, but do you think there are situations when being ruled by a monarch would be preferable?

The authors state that the question was whether people should be ruled by a monarch who claims divine authority, or if people have the right to choose their own government and therefore rule themselves. Today, to those of us in America, the answer seems obvious, but do you think there are situations when being ruled by a monarch would be preferable?

There were situations in the past, when most of the population was poor and ignorant, when it made a lot of sense. I am not sure that in current times that it makes sense for any one person to have an inordinate amount of power.

Absolutely not. Most of the surviving monarchies have very little power and are mostly ceremonial.

I would rather be ruled by a constitutional monarchy than a dictator such as Putin or Xi or Pol Pot or Kim or Castro or Amin or Erdogan or a theocracy. The oppression is spirit destroying.

We certainly want the freedom to choose our leaders and not be under a monarch or dictator. Unfortunately, there is so much deception in government now that we aren't given real choices.

When I think of a monarchy vs democracy, I see a monarchy as out of touch with REALITY. The jewels, the luxurious lifestyle, the high esteem you are graced with are not earned. Being born into royalty/ruling your citizens seems wrong in itself. At least democracy has candidates campaign for their vote. I do acknowledge gerrymandering as an unfair strategy that interferes with voting. However, some courts are addressing that issue. All the money spent for celebrating a coronation would be better spent feeding, housing, and giving help to its citizens. The biggest problem for me is just because you are born from Royal parents doesn't mean you are qualified to rule.

I don't think that there are reasons for a Monarchy. Democracy is delicate as we see in our recent political history. Monarchy would place our democratic values at risk; one devious Monarch, and it can be all over- democratic systems, separate powers of government bodies, can be manipulated and destroyed. Look at Hitler, his plan, his methods, his takeover, and his demise. Millions of lives lost while the world tried to figure it out. Putin's attack on Ukraine - lives and livelihoods demolished. Look at the current violations of our own constitutional right to separation of church and state - one sect imposing their beliefs on the whole country, persecution of Jews, Minorities, LGBTQ, etc. Anything other than Democracy would be disastrous for us.

helenp - I agree with most of your points about most monarchies, and indeed I think many British royals would prefer not to have been born in to the family. But regarding your point about the cost of the coronation being better spent elsewhere, monetarily speaking, the monarchy in Britain is actually considered a net benefit to the economy https://brandfinance.com/wp-content/uploads/1/brand_finance_monarchy_press_release.pdf. And, of course, today, while the British monarchy has influence, it has no political or executive authority.

I agree with helenp. I have no desire to ever live under a monarchy or autocracy or anything other than a democracy. Let me be clear though, I think many of our politicians do not believe in or support democracy. Hence the actions taken to limit voting and stay in power at all costs and subvert the will of the people.
While the British monarchy may boost the economy as Brand Finance states, I doubt that brings any comfort to those experiencing a cost-of-living crisis. I don't have an exact figure for the cost of the coronation, I've seen estimates of over 100 million pounds and of course the extra public holiday meant a loss day of productivity. Teachers, and postal workers are striking for higher wagers and the security guards at Heathrow walked off the job. I have seen where Charles inherited more than $500 million and yet paid no inheritance tax on that. I also have read where pays no income tax, or capitol gains tax. I assume the country could use any money they would receive if the crown was required to follow the same tax structure as its citizens.

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I can’t fathom a situation or time when it would be best to be ruled by a monarchy. There are enough challenges in a democracy when a President chooses to lead unethically, but at least we have the opportunity to vote at the end of the term for someone that we hope will lead more ethically.

I would never want to be living in other than a democracy. The problem is that some of our recent past leaders don't alway honor our desire for democracy and feel they can do what they want. Too many of our politicians are unethical.

Any system of Government is dangerous where there are not good checks and balances in place. The British have know what they are getting in Charles lll. They have watched him grow up and deal with a diverse set of serious problems. There are many other elected officials in the government who make the important decisions and there is also a watchdog in place to report on what is going on among the royals in the form of a reliable National Press. The power and privileges of monarchy are certainly being trimmed nowadays as the masses are eager to know they are getting back from the tax money paid to royalty. I am more concerned today about the power of International Banking and large autonomous Corporations in the game of power politics.

As stated, today, in the USA, it is easy to emphatically state NO. No monarchy, Theocrace, Dictatorship, etc. However, the times are different. Today we are well-informed, educated, and free to do what we want (mostly). During the development of social civilization, people had no idea what was going on. They needed leadership they could rely upon to tell them what to do and how to do it. As society developed that need became less needed and freedom to choose for themselves more in demand. In today's world most countries follow that mandate and we who are lucky enough to live it, are aware of its great benefits.

Whether it was tribal leaders or monarches people throughout history supported them because of the perceived prosperity and protection they brought with large armies. As another reader indicated they were almost essential at a time when poverty was more common than not as well as low literacy rates were extremely low.

Democracy as we have known it for centuries allows every citizen to have a stake and participate in deciding their future and nation's priorities. versus a monarchy making the decision for its citizens.

Perhaps a transitional and limited monarchy in a place that had only known despotic rule, to be replaced with a democratic or republic form of government. The second paragraph of of the Declaration of Independence nicely summarizes the purpose of government—to secure our inalienable rights. I would not want to live any other way.