Monarchy and Modern Europe
A reader recently suggested that I write a post on the prospects of a European-wide monarchy. I can't say that I see the prospects of one either likely or a positive thing for Europe.
Whether we monarchists like it or not (and this monarchist definitely does not like it!) Europe exists under the bureaucracy of the European Union, that democratic behemoth that seeks to spread it's flag over ever increasing territories. I don't see the prospects of the current ruling monarchies of Europe as rosy under the EU as it is: any monarchy that is a member nation of the EU will likely see further stripping of monarchical powers, more so than is already present. Under such conditions, how would one monarchy hope to gain power (real or otherwise) over the entire continent?
If a continental-wide monarchy were to exist, either the present monarchies would either have to be abolished or would see much of their already limited powers passed on to the European monarch. In addition, in those countries where the monarchy enjoys a modicum of popularity (such as the United Kingdom), the people would have to either give up their monarch or see him become even more of a figurehead than he already is. Can you imagine the British giving up their Queen for some continental monarch? I certainly cannot.
Many Catholic monarchists want to see the restoration of the Holy Roman Empire, stretching its fingers of power across the entire European continent. I must remind my readers that I am not an Austrian monarchist, but a German monarchist. I advocate the restoration of the German Empire (the Kaiserreich), not the HRE. While I would certainly like to see the restoration of the Austrian Empire in some form, I would not want this to include Germany proper. I, along with many German monarchists, would not want to see the Fatherland once again under the finger of an Austrian. The Hohenzollerns fought too hard in the past to thrust off the heavy hand of Austrian dominance to accept it once again.
In summary, while I certainly advocate the return of monarchy as the dominant form of government in Europe, I would not want such a return to include a European-wide monarchy. Let us monarchists set our goals along more small and reasonable lines.
19 comments:
While I agree with your assessment of the already-existing monarchies, I still don't think it would necessarily be a negative thing to have a pan-European monarchy. Of course we're speaking in the realm of mere fantasy.
But what really sparked that question was the purported existence of the prophecies concerning some "Great Catholic Monarch" at the end times (look at some book like Catholic Prophecy by Yves Dupont). Oftentimes the monarch is mentioned to be French. And I don't necessarily believe in those prophecies, since they're just private revelation, but I do find them interesting. And it just seemed to me that if there were to be only one 'Great Monarch', then ought there be other monarchies as well?
I've never read any of the "Great Monarch" prophecies. As a Catholic, I don't delve into private revelations much (the main exception being the revelations of Bl. Anne Catherine Emmerich), so I don't know anything about the supposed "Great Monarch," nor do I particularly want to.
Before monarchy could be restored in Europe, Christendom would have to be restored.
Nick, have you read Bruce Warren's book on Tsar Nicholas I? Is so, what did you think?
Godfrey
Godfrey,
Hear, hear! I totally aggree with you that Christendom must first be restored.
No, I haven't read that book. Do you recommend it?
Sorry Nick I got the authors name wrong. The author is Bruce Lincoln.
Yes I highly recommend the book. Since becoming a monarchist I see Tsar Nicholas I in a totally different light. He fought the rising tide of Liberalism in Europe.
Godfrey
I'll have to add that book to my "buy and read" list. Thanks for the recommendation!
There is a big contradiction in the writting.
The German Empire (1871-1918) was an anti-catholic, protestant-dominant monarchy (see Bismarck "Kulturkampf" against the catholicism), and the writers said, that he is a "traditional catholic".
It's anachronism.
Austria was the successor of the Holy Roman and Catholic Empire.
It's idea was a catholic (European or World-wide) Empire, above the nations (kingdoms), but not against and without the nations (kingdoms). ("Varietas in concordia.") As there is bishops (kings) in the Catholic Church, but there's only one pope (emperor).
All of the revolutionist (in democratic or monarchist mask), who were against it, was secularist (like the Italinas anti-Habsburgist) or protestant (like the Hungarians, or the Germans). So they "nationalism" was only a protestant anti-universalism, anti-catholicism, and anti-Habsburgism.
Petrus Saxonus
Petrus,
Perhaps if you had taken the time to look over some of my other posts you would have read my explanation as to why I consider myself a German monarchist, Hohenzollern supporter, while still considering myself a Traditional Catholic. Since I have already done this, I won't waste my time doing it again.
If any monarchy has a chance to become dominant in Europe, it would be the Belgian monarchy. Europe is ruled from Brussels, and they rule Brussels.
I'm not too worried about the future of the European monarchies (with the possible exception of Spain). Monarchies will remain the focus of national and regional identity and pride.
I am also a budding Monarchist, but my fealty is to the English Monarchy as opposed to the German. But let's hearken back to Saint Edward the Confessor and not to later Kings and Queens of England.
I think any American Monarchy must have at its center legal religions, tolerated religions, and illegal / destructive religions along the lines of the ancient Roman Empire.
I think that Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy and Conservative Protestantism and Conservative Judaism should occupy the catbirds seat, and everything should fall in line after these faith traditions.
I'm an Eastern Orthodox Christian in the Antiochian Archdiocese. I belong to a Western Rite parish and see the Western Rite as one way of drawing from the best of the Roman Catholic and Anglican traditions without accepting doctrines we Orthodox object to.
Pope Benedict, however, has the right idea when he proposes an alliance between the Roman Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church in order to preserve Europe.
I plan to puruse more and more Monarchist sites to aid in my education about the benefits of a Constitutional Monarchy.
Sincerely Yours,
Columba Silouan
Hello,
Did you see this article from "Roman Christendom"?
http://romanchristendom.blogspot.com/2009/01/stauffenberg-lines-of-descent-and.html
Just thought you might be interested, since you like Germany.
No, I didn't see the article before you mentioned it. Rather good. I never knew Stauffenberg was of such royal heritage, although I don't think I agree that God ordained him to attempt the plot on Hitler's life. I try to not project my ideas on the mind of God.
No, of course we should not project our ideas onto the mind of God. But I still thought it was an interesting article.
Nick, I'm glad to see that there are other likeminded people out there in cyberspace. I wonder how far a "virtual Reich" would go in terms of getting people motivated before the string-pullers would become alarmed.
I've considered how a pan-European monarchy might work (although as has been noted, its really only in the realm of fantasy).
Why not copy the Malaysian model? All the sovereign rulers (Monarchs, Princes, Grand Dukes or whatever) would choose from amongst themselves the Emperor of Europe. Either for a term of years or for life.
Those EU members w/o a monarchy would not be involved in the decision - that would give them an incentive to re-establish their monarchies!
Well, here's an idea. With the current framework of the EU, as it is, there's no EU head of state. Historically, this office has been maintained by the HRE, now defunct with pretenders remaining. As with all European houses in the EU, the British monarchy is a shining example of the ancient and modern coexisting in a display that represents historical royal power as well as unifying temporal and ecclesiastical symbols for the national community. With enough good and popular works, erstwhile regnant houses may increase their contemporary appeal, but it's work mind you. If, and perhaps in another dimension this is true, the restored monarchs of extant houses were able to revive community spirit, and among their royal peers come into free association under an elected EU wide crown commonwealth, coronated under a religious figure of their choice then as a symbol without the entanglement of political decisions, but with the right to warn and advise, becomes the historical restoration of classical Europe along side the dry bureaucracy of the EU, with its political parties. But, these princes must have no power for their blood has been spilled, many have earned martyrdom and they must do only those things that are of universal good, charity, hospitals, education, the environment, conflict resolution - these princes cannot be lazy but earnest and upright and they must be able to defend the throne's a political and a religious agenda while honoring their Creator and preserving the welfare of the common man, widows, orphaned, disabled, the lonely as well as the good and the great. Maybe this can happen...The Lord works in mysterious ways and his wonders are to behold...
Well, here's an idea. With the current framework of the EU, as it is, there's no EU head of state. Historically, this office has been maintained by the Holy Roman Empire, now defunct with pretenders remaining. With exception to many European houses in the EU, the British monarchy is a shining example of the ancient and modern coexisting in a display that represents historical royal power as well as unifying temporal and ecclesiastical symbols for the national community. With enough good and popular works, erstwhile regnant houses may increase their contemporary appeal, but it's work mind you. If, and perhaps in another dimension this is true, the restored monarchs of extant houses were able to revive community spirit, and among their royal peers come into free association under an elected EU wide crown commonwealth, coronated under a religious figure of their choice then as a symbol without the entanglement of political decisions, but with the right to warn and advise, becomes the historical restoration of classical Europe along side the dry bureaucracy of the EU, with its political parties. But, religious organizations have to be just as symbolic as well and with out political power and limited influence to protect itself as an institution. And, these princes must have no power for their blood has been spilled, and many princes have earned martyrdom and those that remain must do only those things that are of universal good, charity, hospitals, education, the environment, conflict resolution - these princes cannot be lazy but earnest and upright and they must be able to defend the throne's a political and a religious agenda while honoring their Creator and preserving the welfare of the common man, widows, orphaned, disabled, the lonely as well as the good and the great. Maybe this can happen...The Lord works in mysterious ways and his wonders are to behold...
Well, here's an idea. With the current framework of the EU, as it is, there's no EU head of state. Historically, this office has been maintained by the Holy Roman Empire, now defunct with pretenders remaining. With exception to many European houses in the EU, the British monarchy is a shining example of the ancient and modern coexisting in a display that represents historical royal power as well as unifying temporal and ecclesiastical symbols for the national community. With enough good and popular works, erstwhile regnant houses may increase their contemporary appeal, but it's work mind you. If, and perhaps in another dimension this is true, the restored monarchs of extant houses were able to revive community spirit, and among their royal peers come into free association under an elected EU wide crown commonwealth, coronated under a religious figure of their choice then as a symbol without the entanglement of political decisions, but with the right to warn and advise, becomes the historical restoration of classical Europe along side the dry bureaucracy of the EU, with its political parties. But, religious organizations have to be just as symbolic as well and with out political power and limited influence to protect itself as an institution. And, these princes must have no power for their blood has been spilled, and many princes have earned martyrdom and those that remain must do only those things that are of universal good, charity, hospitals, education, the environment, conflict resolution - these princes cannot be lazy but earnest and upright and they must be able to defend the throne's a political and a religious agenda while honoring their Creator and preserving the welfare of the common man, widows, orphaned, disabled, the lonely as well as the good and the great. Maybe this can happen...The Lord works in mysterious ways and his wonders are to behold...
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