The Next GOP Nominee?

The Onion reports:

Maistre

Seven years short of two centuries ago today, Joseph-Marie, comte de Maistre passed on.

Schiff on College

Mr. Peter Schiff talks to a few people:

Hjort Passing at 45

In this Norwegian constitutional bicentennial year, 45 years ago today, J.B. Hjort passed away.

J.B. Hjort wrote Justismord (Miscarriage of Justice), where he analyzed – amongst others – the “trials” against Anne Boleyn, King Charles I of England, Queen Marie Antoinette of France, and Prime Minster Selmer of Norway.

J.B. Hjort also wrote Demokrati og statsmakt (Democracy and State Power), where he addressed – although being guilty of abuse of the word democracy – the need for checks due to the vices of democracy.

He often wrote in Farmand, and he was an active opponent of a government-“developed” language.

William & Mary at 325

325 years ago today (February 13 in the Julian Calendar), William and Mary were proclaimed sovereigns – in the so-called Glorious Revolution.

Arthur Schopenhauer

Two centuries and two baker's dozen years ago today, Arthur Schopenhauer was born.

Schopenhauer was well into the art of controversy. He also had something to say about meritocracy and forms of government:

A peculiar disadvantage attaching to republics — and one that might not be looked for — is that in this form of government it must be more difficult for men of ability to attain high position and exercise direct political influence than in the case of monarchies. For always and everywhere and under all circumstances there is a conspiracy, or instinctive alliance, against such men on the part of all the stupid, the weak, and the commonplace; they look upon such men as their natural enemies, and they are firmly held together by a common fear of them. There is always a numerous host of the stupid and the weak, and in a republican constitution it is easy for them to suppress and exclude the men of ability, so that they may not be outflanked by them. They are fifty to one; and here all have equal rights at the start.

Happy Birthday, King Harald!

Today marks the 77^th birthday of His Majesty King Harald V of Norway.

Happy Birthday, Your Majesty!

Emasculation in Writing

Seven years ago today, the Norwegian Parliament unanimously passed a Constitutional Amendment to include parliamentarism in the written Constitution – the day before His Majesty's 70^th birthday.

Gottfried and Woods on the Great War

In this centenary year of the outbreak of World War One, Dr. Thomas E. Woods, Jr. interviews Dr. Paul E. Gottfried:

Dr. Gottfried also has some reflections over at The American Conservative.

Meeting of Notables

Two centuries ago today, Prince Christian Frederik met with notables at Carsten Anker's mansion at Eidsvold in Norway to proclaim himself absolute King of Norway. The notables, however, advised him to call a constitutional convention instead, and so it was ordered.

Today is also the official opening of the bicentennial.

Henry Adams at 175

175 years ago today, Henry Adams, later author of Democracy: An American Novel, was born.

Charles of Scotland

365 years ago today (February 5 in the Julian Calendar), Charles II was proclaimed King by the Parliament of Scotland.

The Rich Norwegians?

On the occasion of yesterday's annual address of the Governor of Norges Bank, yours truly addressed some issues (in Norwegian).

Happy Birthday, Your Serene Highness!

Best wishes to Hans-Adam II, Prince of Liechtenstein, on his 69^th birthday!

"Someone Has to Pay"

This exemplifies what society has come to:

H/T: Ad Orientem

That Accountability...

The Onion on the Future

A Couple from Clarke & Dawe

Charles I Beheaded

365 years ago today (January 30 in the old calendar) regicide was committed against Charles I.

Elsewhere: Royal World, Tea at Trianon, Ad Orientem

Strutt at 140

Seven score years ago today, the icon and mascot of this weblog was born.

Lt.-Col. Strutt was the British officer who was sent on a mission under the personal initiative of His Britannic Majesty George V to command the protection of the Austro-Hungarian Imperial-Royal Family in its internal exile. The Lt.-Col. scared almost the living daylights out of Dr. Karl Renner, Chancellor of the “Republic of Austria,” so the Imperial-Royal Family could leave without any abdication.

Lt.-Col. Strutt became Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire shortly after this mission.

Please feel free to browse posts on the late officer.

Wonderful American Bill

Someone explains:

Loafing and Loafing...

H/T: Charles Burris, the LRC Blog

Archduke Karl on the Great War

The Guardian interviews the head of the House of Habsburg, Archduke Karl, whose paternal grandfather was nephew of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, on the Great War.

First Electoral College Vote in America

225 years ago today, the United States Electoral College elected the POTUS for the first time.

A Small Selection from January

Over at Taki's Magazine, Nicholas James Pell comments on the recent reaction to the neoreactionary blogosphere.

Anarcho-Monarchism also weighs in on the debate.

Writes Wesley Morganston over at Theden:

Enough democratic realism! Democracy has experienced itself, and it is beginning to turn in its verdict. It’s time to start thinking about alternatives.

Says Bryce Laliberte:

The problem isn't that democracy failed, but that it hasn't yet.

Declares Michael Anissimov:

Professor Poll Results is the modern-day authority standing in for King Mob.

Mr. Anissimov also clarifies a bit about monarchy at his blog More Right.

Quote of the Month (January)

Writes Mr. Aaron Jacob over at Theden:

Hong Kong ranks highly on numerous international measurements, with an intelligent population, little corruption, and a high standard of living. So the question begs to be asked: why do you need universal suffrage if everything is functioning excellently? If you’ve got a great working government, who cares how many people can cast a ballot? Especially given democracy’s long track record of destruction and dysfunction, the idea that democracy ought to be foisted off on Hong Kong as a positive development is eminently stupid—unless, of course, you’re a progressive.

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The Lisbon Assassination

106 years ago today, His Most Faithful Majesty Carlos I of Portugal and the Prince Royal were assassinated.