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Republicans & Curiosity

1/23/2015

 

"There is nothing as deceptive as an obvious fact." ~Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Over the last few months of using the academic/empirical
evidence I've gathered to confront republicans I've noticed
something rather odd. The republicans I've talked to don't
seem to want to examine the evidence presented. There
appears to be the attitude that the evidence must be wrong
before they even see it. I find this odd as you would think
republicans would be interested in better understanding their
preferred form of government (the studies also have some
interesting things to say in regards to the potential differences
between legislative and presidential republics). I find this
attitude problematic as I hold to Aristotle's maxim that "it is
the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a
thought without accepting it." I would like to think that
republicans have come to hold their views after thorough
investigation of all options. But to hold this view raises the
question of why the attitude described above exists at all?

A recent book by Ian Leslie may provide some insight. Titled
"Curiosity: The Desire To Know And Why Our Future
Depends On It" it argues that certain circumstances can
kill off curiosity in people and that curiosity is a skill that
needs to be honed. I argue that the unique features and 
history of republicanism make it a 'curiosity killer'.  
Ian Leslie notes that curiosity can be killed by a lack of knowledge on a particular subject. Knowledge it seems is a starting point for further knowledge. We need to know just enough information to know there is something we don't know. People then naturally seek to close these information gaps. If people have no knowledge of the subject matter there will be little desire to learn more. Citizens of a republic, or even a monarchy where the role of the crown is ignored, can suffer from similar circumstances. Within republics it makes little sense to study monarchy as a system of government in a civics course since their system is not a monarchy. Likewise, within monarchies the view that the monarchy is irrelevant to civics leads to it being pushed aside. As a graduate of the New Brunswick school system I can attest to the lack of instruction on the role of the sovereign in government. 

This leaves universities holding the ball. Here once again curiosity is strangled by a lack of knowledge. As I've noted before there is a lack of academic research on monarchy as a government form. The field has only been around for twenty years (and more realistically the last five). That said a few people do become monarchists in university (I did). These people tend to be from the fields of history or political science since it can be hard to discuss either without some knowledge of monarchy, at least in Canada. Within republics, however, political science has little reason to deal with monarchy which leaves history.

But being an expert in a field is no guarantee a person will be of a curious mind. As Ian Leslie argues we need to be T-shaped people. Not generalists or specialists but both. Deep knowledge of a single subject combined with broad knowledge of all subjects.
Republicanism has yet another advantage in the fight however. Republicanism is very thoroughly conflated with democracy. The Curiosity-Drive Model states that curiosity results from experiences that are novel and complex create a sensation of uncertainty in the brain, a sensation perceived to be unpleasant. Curiosity alleviates this by helping motivate us to find out more. The key word above is 'uncertainty'. So what happens if you are certain that some idea is right/wrong? Would you not be less curious as a result?

By conflating republicanism (which monarchists want to challenge) with democracy (which has a high certainty of being correct) republicans have made republicanism hard to challenge in their minds. Not only this but it makes defending monarchy more difficult as the conflation renders monarchy opposed to democracy even though it is not. Republics can make the situation worse by their habit of glorifying their revolutions. Certainly the stories of brave patriots fighting off evil foes and establishing a republic make for good reading. But they also make discussing ideas that may be counter to the narrative harder to do. If you strongly believe something is wrong or undesirable you are not going to be willing to look at it further in most cases.

Further problems arise when you consider that many consider monarchy irrelevant such as Prof. Kuehnelt-Leddihn who wrote in 1999 that monarchy is “a totally obsolete, even childish, institution”. All of which raises certainty that republicanism is correct and lowers curiosity about monarchy as a competing system. With republicanism as consensus for much of the world more than ever we should beware the obvious fact.
So what does this mean for us monarchists? It may mean we need to refine how we approach debating republicans. There is a divide that needs to be bridged. A start would be getting them to admit that democracy and republicanism are not the same thing. Anyways, I hope I gave you something to think about. Stay curious, my friends.

Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour
bazie link
1/26/2015 02:09:45 pm

As cute as your post essentially ridiculing republicans is, what exactly are the arguments for the monarchy over a republic?

Given that in today's world the de facto power of the monarchy is (prorogation crises aside) entirely one of symbolism, one wonders what possible benefit can be claimed?

If we are going to symbolize something in our society, I would think we would want to symbolize the best parts of our society: democracy, freedom, equality under the law, and so forth. Supporting the idea of a hereditary rule with dominion over the country is entirely antithetical to these ideals. I can't imagine why someone would want to symbolize hereditary rule over symbolizing democracy.

Even if one could construct some argument over why a monarchy makes sense, even if one could find some way to wash away the disgusting symbolism, I still don't see why one ought to care. I suppose I'm a republican in the sense that if I could redesign a system from scratch it absolutely wouldn't be predicated on hereditary rule. However, this seems like the 9000th most important issue in Canadian politics with no practical consequences. Taking the wrong side of an irrelevant issue just seems silly.

A Kisaragi Colour
1/28/2015 10:50:31 pm

"what exactly are the arguments for the monarchy over a republic?"

-The very first line has the links to two previous artiticles on what research that has been done. My argument is that based on the findings of these studies monarchy has measurable advantages over republics in regards to democratic behavior and institutional costs. Based on this I turn the question around and ask republicans what advantages republics bring to a country. So far none have provided a response.

"entirely one of symbolism, one wonders what possible benefit can be claimed?"

-Interestingly, most of the findings from the above-mentioned studies apply whether or not the monarch has any actual power. It could be that the 'soft power', what you call symbolism, is underestimated in terms of the effects it has. It is also possible that monarchies only have an advantage when compared to republics. ie. republics are flawed which makes monarchies look better by comparison.

"Supporting the idea of a hereditary rule with dominion over the country is entirely antithetical to these ideals."

-I do not feel it is. It would be equally valid to say that by being choosen by the only method that unites everyone (accident of birth) we reaffirm the inherent equality of all people over partisan advantage (which generally results from ability, training, luck and cleverness). The only thing elected heads of state represent is dishonesty, betrayal, and greed.

-An argument from the left might be that the lie told in republics that everyone is equal actually allows inequality to hide itself and flourish. In this way a monarchy is more honest in reminding people this is not the case and, so reminded, the people can focus on fixing this.

"I suppose I'm a republican in the sense that if I could redesign a system from scratch it absolutely wouldn't be predicated on hereditary rule."

-Which given the lack of advantages such an alternative system (I assume you mean a republic and are not considering a theocracy) has I'd ask why?

"However, this seems like the 9000th most important issue in Canadian politics with no practical consequences. Taking the wrong side of an irrelevant issue just seems silly."

-As I've stated, there does seem to be practical consequences which is why I write about it. That said advocacy is only part of this website's mandate. It is also meant to be a resource for those researching Canada's royal past and present. Besides, I can't spend ALL of my time advocating for patent reform, I'd go mad from boredom. :)

"As cute as your post essentially ridiculing republicans is"

-I'm sorry if you took this article as ridicule it was not meant to be. I do legitimately find the attitude described as odd. Furthermore I do feel republicans are capable of becoming more open-minded. Afterall, they too are victims of republicanism's empty ideology.


Comments are closed.

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