Reply #141: Hmm [View All]

[Prophet 451]

Here, we tend to take the opposite approach of not doing away with traditions unless they do some harm. I guess that one's a basic cultural difference. And the freest, most socialistic and democratic countries in Europe (Sweden and Denmark) retain their monarchies too.

Now, whether they actually carry any benefits. Well, they're powerless so we don't have to worry about them enacting disgusting legislation (unlike our current government). They generate a ton of tourist revenue which an elected head of state is unlikely to do. They provide a living link to the past and history and we value that here. They do a shitload of charitable work which elected heads of state don't (and don't have time for).

And we like having them. In every poll, the British people want to retain the monarchy (albeit the margin is sometimes small).