In which I plant the seed of republicanism in my daughter

[cjwatson]

Children's literature and television is distressingly full of kings and queens and princesses and princes, and Judith (6) has picked up rather too much of that for my liking. So, when she asked me something about that on the way home from astronomy tonight, I decided to seize the teachable moment and explain to her how most countries don't have kings and queens any more, and that this is because when you have just one person in charge then what happens if that person isn't very nice?

J: But the Queen is nice. She fixes cars.
Me: Right, but not all kings and queens of this country have been nice.
J (incredulous voice): Reeeeeally?
Me: Really.
J: Some of them didn't fix cars?

Comments

[jack]

Yeah, that seems plausible. I'm scared of electing a president, even a ceremonial one, because it seems hard to get someone moderately reliable, as opposed to "the outgoing prime-minister" or "the celebrity of the year". But I used to be more MORE scared of that than the status quo, but now, yes, I'm starting to think that after Elizabeth leaves the throne, I less scared of that than continuing to roll the dice on inherited monarchs...

Maybe we could compromise on electing the next monarch? :)