Posted on 06/27/2010 1:46:00 AM PDT by the scotsman
I learned many years ago to never argue with those who don’t understand the argument.
I think your emphasis on winning a discussion rather than having a discussion makes me feel I made the right choice.
Read what a Republic is first then come back and we can have a discussion on it. God speed.
Oh, now you’re just being silly. The gist of my argument is how monarchies suppress human exceptionalism. Yours seems to revolve around republics, and whether others agree with your definition.
Erroneously using North Korea and Syria as examples of republics (which, interestingly, you never chose to address) indicates that you might want to renew your knowledge of either republics, or the political reality of some of the countries you used to support your point.
If you still insist on using North Korea as an example of a republic (vs. a defacto monarchy), you might Google Kim Jong-Un.
My argument now questions your understanding of your own examples. Just because the name of the country includes the term Republic, does not mean that it is a republic. Just because a country has Democratic in the title, does not mean it is democratic. Your choice of countries (Syria and North Korea) rather calls into question the validity of your argument. Both of your examples may be self-proclaimed republics, but they are defacto monarchies. You do understand this distinction, do you not?
Just sayin’.
That is not the point. Monarchy can suppresses human exceptionalism but so can Republics.
There is no link between Monarchy/Republics and freedom or meritocracy in the 21st century. It all depends on the system and history that the Republic or Monarchy has and not the fact that it is a Republic or Monarchy.
Just to be clear - I am not stating that either is better. I am stating that the mere fact a nation is a republic or monarchy bears no relation to how much of a meritocracy or how free it is.
A very easy example is your national neighbours. Which country is the most free - Republican Mexico or Monarchical Canada?
This is NOT stating that a monarchy is better. It merely shows that democracy and meritocracy are not wedded to being a Republic or Constitutional Monarchy. It all depends on national character and history. What one nation could not cope with another integrates and uses to it’s advantage to get the same results.
For every French and American Republics we have the Russian or Chinese Republics. For every UK or Dutch Monarchy we have the Saudi or Jordanian Monarchy.
I will look over this, and respond in a bit.
“Monarchical Canada”?!?!
Umm. You are aware that Canada has no Queen or King. Oh sure, the Commonwealth countries still have an antiquated infatuation with the British royalty which has absolutely no bearing on their government operations. Canada is certainly not a monarchy by any stretch of the imagination. Many misguided souls in the US are dazzled by royalty, but this doesn’t make the US a monarchy either.
You keep throwing in these “Huh!?!?” statements. It rather takes away from the effectiveness of your argument. I will look over your last, but “Monarchical Canada” rather jumped out at me so I had to do a quick response.
“Umm. You are aware that Canada has no Queen or King. Oh sure, the Commonwealth countries still have an antiquated infatuation with the British royalty which has absolutely no bearing on their government operations. Canada is certainly not a monarchy by any stretch of the imagination.”
Oh dear.
I don’t know how to reply because you have stunned me by your lack of basic knowledge. Canada is a constitutional monarchy. Queen Elizabeth is the Queen of Canada. And no it’s not an infatuation, she really is the Queen of Canada and the Head of State.
In fact she is in Canada at present.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monarchy_of_Canada
http://www.pch.gc.ca/eng/1266245566496
http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/people/senate//Monarchy/SenMonarchy_00-e.htm
Oh dear!
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