The 20th century seemed to herald the demise of monarchy. But only two have gone out of business this century
18th Akihito, the 125th emperor of Japan and descendant of the sun goddess Amaterasu, returned to a shrine the sword extracted by Amaterasu’s brother Susanowo from a vanquished monster’s tail and a necklace stolen by Susanowo from his sister, thus reuniting them with a mirror used to tempt Amaterasu out of the cave where she had hidden from her brother.
Another reason is that many of the poor, weak monarchies have already gone, and some of the enduring ones have pots of money. Maintaining absolute power is a great deal easier for the Saudi or Emirati royal families than it was for the Albanians or the Romanians. They can afford lavish welfare handouts to keep the people happy and well-paid goons to keep them quiet.
Monarchies were less ruthless and more dexterous than the brittle republics. Only three people, including two policemen, were killed in 7,000 protests over two years in Jordan. Bahrain was the youngest and most brutal of the kingdoms. Its security forces killed scores as they suppressed its uprising. That was a lot in a population of 1.4m, but still just a day’s work for some of the Arab republics’ killing machines.
Democracy’s difficulties in Thailand are both cause and consequence of the monarchy’s survival. After a bloodless coup in 1932 replaced the absolute monarchy with a constitutional one, a symbiotic relationship developed between the monarchy and the military. The symbolic authority of the former has legitimised the political authority of the latter, providing cover for numerous coups.
Queen Elizabeth has not played as political a role as Akihito has, but she has, subtly, modernised the monarchy, opening Buckingham Palace to the public, paying tax and taking great care over public relations—always, for instance, wearing bright colours so that cameras pick her out in a crowd.
King Bhumibol’s steady presence discouraged efforts to fix a broken political system prone to deadlock between royalist elites and their more democratic opponents. The system now lacks a respected referee, and King Vajiralongkorn’s interventions damage the monarchy’s standing further. The result could be turmoil as the military regime clings to power.
इंडिया ताज़ा खबर, इंडिया मुख्य बातें
Similar News:आप इससे मिलती-जुलती खबरें भी पढ़ सकते हैं जिन्हें हमने अन्य समाचार स्रोतों से एकत्र किया है।
The science behind why women survive longer than menWhat does biology tell us about gender and longevity?
और पढो »
To survive trade battles, China manufacturers deploy every weapon they canManufacturers in China facing trade barriers are deploying an array of moves to ...
और पढो »
'It is miraculous that she survived': Woman trapped in car found alive after 5 daysGet breaking national and world news, broadcast video coverage, and exclusive interviews. Find the top news online at ABC news.
और पढो »
‘It’s precarious’: Can Hampshire College’s experiment in higher education survive?The novel institution with no admissions tests or grades illustrates the financial plight of liberal arts schools.
और पढो »
Theresa May survives coup attempt after Conservative officials reject early leadership electionConservative MPs have decided not to change rules to allow a second no-confidence vote in the PM. The move could have seen her ousted from Downing Street.
और पढो »
Bobcat survives deadly California wildfire, has 4 kittensGet breaking national and world news, broadcast video coverage, and exclusive interviews. Find the top news online at ABC news.
और पढो »