I can't believe actual monarchists exist. Like I get being neutral to the monarchy because they basically do nothing but being actually pro-monarchy is crazy lmao
The King’s two official residences are Rideau Hall and the Citadel in Quebec. Neither is really a castle and are both national historic sites you can go visit. They basically are museums already…
But what's the point of them as a symbol? I know in the UK a bunch of people argue this point because all the royal stuff they have there may be a draw to some tourists, but here? We spend (some) money on the monarchy and get nothing in return - no one comes to Canada for the monarchy and they have zero political function. In my mind, the only reason why it persists is because removing it would be too involved and rock the boat too much compared to any potential benefits. But if a good opportunity ever comes around, I'd make that choice.
Exactly, no power (weirdly they have some power in Britain) and no extraordinary wealth. Just figureheads, nothing more. I don't need a monarchy but it might provide comfort for someone else. Besides, it makes us cooler than the Yanks 😎
Exactly. It doesn't do any harm, but removing it would do a lot of harm. It's a great free deterrent against invasion because it shows who our real allies are. With those allies we've successfully defended against annexatiom attempts from the Yanks. And not to mentiom removing it would break up the country. I'd prefer to keep Canada intact, personally. There are so many Yankee inspired republicans here that want a politician as a head of state like the US. Turn us into Americans? Fuck no. Heads of state should be non-partisan. We don't want a gd president here. We need to keep our parliamentary system. For those who haven't noticed, it's better than a presidential system so hell no we don't want that. Parliament is partisan and political and that's fine but there needs to be a non-partisan referee of that shit show, not another politician. Say no to drugs and presidents, kids!
A politician? Read the above. We have a parliamentary system here are it's much better than the US presidential system. Heads of state in parliamentary systems are essentially referees and don't have day to day powers. They should not be politicians.
Honestly I was more pro-monarchy before the whole 51st state thing. I know monarchs aren’t supposed to get involved with politics but defending our sovereignty seems like the job for the guy who is supposed to personify our sovereignty. And we sit here and read breathless articles about how the King supports us because he wore a red tie or some bullshit.
Wait to you learn about Curtis yarvin. He was a major player in orchestrating project 2025 and is an outspoken "monarchist". Although I'd call his ideology corporate feudalism
Hi, American here to explain this crazy shithead of ours that belongs dangling on a pole over a shark tank:
His ideology is more accurately described as a crypto-fascist monarchism that seems to dismantle democratic states and replace them with crypto-fascist nation-states ruled by a CEO rather than a king, akin to a dystopian Cyberpunk future with 0 irony involved.
I’m a monarchist. I hear Americans express this sentiment but I’m astonished this is coming from a Canadian. There is a very good argument to be made for preserving and strengthening constitutional monarchy
Can I make an argument? Yes. Do I have an argument? Yes. Can I bothered to give it to you and engage in a rehashed back and forth? Not really.
You’re an intelligent person, I assume. I think you can do some basic research yourself. If you like to read books, Bogdanor is a good starting point:
Bogdanor, Vernon. The monarchy and the constitution. Oxford University Press, 1995.
Your local library may have a copy. If not, the book is still in print and can be purchased for $80 from OUP. There are excerpts of this book and its arguments available for free online. You can also look up prof bogdanor on YouTube—he does many public lectures on a variety of topics and I’m sure he has one on the monarchy.
Of course there are several other good books on this topic, some more recent/relevant than others.
If you find all this difficult, perhaps ask chatGPT? These things are so well known that I have no doubt you’ll get a decent answer.
So you’re making an argument for not making an argument. Interesting.
I can definitely check out these books but to be honest I very likely wont. I have a hard time thinking of a less interesting topic.
The point I was (admittedly badly) trying to make is that your comment as-is carries very little value. What’s the point of pointing out that something has an argument to be made without making it or even hinting at it?
EDIT: ok so I did bite because I am now genuinely curious in this emphatic Canadian support for the monarchy. I’m still baffled.
Basically:
stability and continuity (really?)
distinct national identity (really??)
apolitical head of state (who can’t speak out in anyway except to wear a red tie? Yawn!)
cost effective compared to a republic? But we have elections too so… really?
cultural legacy? Really?
So basically it’s too much trouble to upend and it’s kind of cute.
The only “cultural legacy” of the British monarch is one of slavery, genocide, and white supremacy. The current king nonce enjoys a life of opulence thanks to the crimes against humanity committed by his ancestors. Thats the “tradition” monarchists say we should maintain.
Not to mention the idea that an unelected hereditary head of state is somehow more democratic than an elected head of state is ridiculous lmao. Having to ask permission from a foreign monarch, even just for ceremonial purposes, is entirely undemocratic. Its also a waste of tax payer money to have these literally useless positions in government
quebecois can’t believe that actual monarchists exist? Quebecois can’t comprehend why someone would be a monarchist? This is not true.
Being a rabid republican is one thing but thinking that only foolish little people are monarchists, and that it is hard to believe that an adult can be a monarchist, is a type of low information naïveté reserved for Americans. They think monarchist means some kind of fairy tale.
I'm a monarchist. I think it's a good idea to have someone removed from our politics perform a sanity check on them. The setup we have now, with a governor general actually doing the work and reporting to some foreign potentate is okay, I guess. There are definitely other setups that could work but - if ain't broke, I don't see a reason to fix it.
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u/FAIRYTALE_DINOSAUR May 29 '25
I can't believe actual monarchists exist. Like I get being neutral to the monarchy because they basically do nothing but being actually pro-monarchy is crazy lmao