Haakon VII

Half a century ago today, the long reign of His Majesty King Haakon VII came to an end.

First French Republic Proclaimed

215 years ago today, the French First Republic was proclaimed.

Nepalese Republic and Legitimacy

The Economic Times of India believes it would “would lead to a crisis of legitimacy for the nascent constitutional-democratic process” to “have an interim legislature abolish the monarchy.”

Well, the interim legislature has done just about everything but formally proclaim a republic. Not that I endorse any proclamation of a Nepalese republic, as regular readers of this blog should know.

One World Government?

From the Potomac or the East River? I have an article on this at the Intellectual Conservative today.

U.S. Constitution Signed

Eleven score years ago today, the United States Constitution was signed at the Constitutional Convention at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Stuck in the Past?

The Monarchist had a post last week about republicans being stuck in a colonial mentality. I guess this is a generalization of being stuck in a monarchs-are-there-for-wanting-to-lord-it-over-us mentality. In the comments there's an exchange between a Mr. J.J. McCullough and myself.

There are republican replies to the post here and here.

Nepalese Alliance in Support of the Throne

19 newly formed parties make up an alliance in support of the Nepalese monarchy. So AsiaNews reports.

Russian Monarchical Support

Some Russians suggest scrapping the republic after some 90 years. So Interfax-Religion reports.

Democracy Does Actually Work!

And it is effective and good.

That is for certain purposes, which are not necessarily good.

One can say a lot about democracy, but it is hard to argue that it does not work.

We live with democracy in our declined Western civilization. With modern democracy the government charges a whole lot of taxes from a whole lot of people all the time. It is stable. It is hardly challenged. It's not about to break down.

So it works. It is good and effective, e.g., at maintaining and expanding a quite sizeable, far-reaching, and pervasive government.

Democracy does actually work!

Presidential Visit This Week

This morning I had an appointment down town. So I walked along the avenue leading up to the royal palace this morning, and I saw Royal Guards standing at attention to Brazilian and Norwegian flags. Aftenposten reports on the state visit of the President of Brazil.

“Lula” is reportedly “deeply impressed” by our provider state – also known as the so-called “welfare state.” Well, I am deeply depressed by it.

I do not think very highly of “Lula” representing the Realm of Dom Pedro.

Viva Sua Majestade o Imperador do Brasil!

Viva a Casa de Bragança!

Viva a Casa Imperial do Brasil!

H.L. Mencken 127

H.L. Mencken, known for not having a very high opinion of democracy, was born on this day in 1880.

A few quotes:

Democracy is also a form of worship. It is the worship of Jackals by Jackasses.

And:

Democracy is the art of running the circus from the monkey cage.

And:

Democracy is the pathetic belief in the wisdom of collective ignorance.

The Battle of Vienna

Fifteen score and two dozen years ago today, the Battle of Vienna commenced.