This week we will be exploring the roles and responsiblities of the British Parliment. As discussed Friday, the leader of Parliment is the Prime Minister, and it is he or she who is essentially the exectuive leader of Great Britain. The Queen, however, remains the Head of State of the United kingdom and over a dozen independent commonwealths. Your blog this weekend asks you to analyze the changing and contested role of the British Monarchy in the modern world.
Directions: Actively read the articles below:
The Queen admits monarchy must evolve to survive:
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/the-queen-admits-monarchy-must-evolve-to-survive-650187.html
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/the-queen-admits-monarchy-must-evolve-to-survive-650187.html
2. Summarize each article providing insight on what powers and influence the Queen has on British politics and culture.
3. Based on the articles, how has the Queen's political and cultural role and influence changed in recent history? Refer to at least three nations and multiple perspectives in your response.
Blog due Tuesday, November 11 (Veterans day- no class)
250 word minimum.
You may post, email, or print your response
250 word minimum.
You may post, email, or print your response
8 comments:
The article,"How Commonwealth sees the Queen" explains the feelings that Commonwealths around the world have for the Queen of England. Australia is appreciative of the Queen's stability and is not looking forward for King Charles' reign. In Canada- which last broke its last constitutional ties with the United Kingdom in 1982- the people have mixed reviews on the Queen depending on age , geographic location and the Queen's irelevance to Canada. In addition, To Nigerians, the Queen has little relevance to their lives yet she is highly respected by some due to her buisness skills. In Malaysia, the older people seem love her for her influence in the country. Kenyans take pride in the Queen because she had found out that she was queen while in Kenya and because her family are usual visitors of the country. However, they get angry when they think about the Mau-Mau killings under the British rule of the Queen's time.Though Queen Victoria was crowned Empress of India , Indians have forgotten about her and take intress and pride in thier own princess and princes. Most of the Carribean is bitter and angry at British for its bloody colonization over them ; they feel that the Queen is only a figure of the commonwealth and nothing more. Most countries colonized by England feel bitter towards England. However, without a doubt these colonized countries have take some of England's culture weather it was by force or choice. Most people feel that the Queen is no more than an image/icon , who holds no political power. This may be true but is definitly contrasted in "The Queen admits monarchy must evolve to survive".
"The Queen admits monarchy must evolve to survive" By Ben Russell, Political The Queen feels that the parliment and monarchy needs to change its way to form a better G.B. The Queen shows appreciation to England's tarditional values however feels that it must revolve round modern England needs. The Queen's want of change in G.B is unusual for some. Though some take this want of change as an insult , the Queen says "change has become a constant; managing it has become an expanding discipline. The way we embrace it defines our future."
Khadijat Olagoke
Rachel Geissler
“How the Commonwealth sees the Queen” reports on the different views and opinions about Queen Elizabeth II as the head of state in the various commonwealths under her jurisdiction. Many nations recognize Elizabeth as a symbol of tradition and stability. Others, however, see Elizabeth as a reminder of past colonization of their nations that should be forgotten and over with already. Australia enjoys Queen Elizabeth’s presence, as their head of state, but isn’t too sure about having Charles succeed her. Australia, like most other commonwealths, predict a change in feelings towards the British monarchy’s position over their country and perhaps elimination of British influence altogether once Prince Charles takes the throne as King of England. The feelings in nations such as Kenya, Canada, Malaysia, and the Caribbean vary. Typically, the older generations have strong feelings of veneration for Queen Elizabeth. The younger generations, however, have lost sight of the Queen’s relevance in their lives and don’t hold as much reverence and affection for her. India and Nigeria almost completely resent the Queen’s present in their history altogether and would prefer the elimination of ties to Great Britain.
Ben Russell’s “The Queen admits monarchy must evolve to survive” discusses a speech made by Queen Elizabeth II at a meeting between both houses of Parliament. She discussed the great advances the monarchy has made over the past five decades of her reign and the emphasis of British values seen in everything associated with the monarchy’s institutions. Although the monarchy has been successful thus far, Queen Elizabeth recognizes the need for change to the monarchy in order to cater to the ever-changing nations over which she rules. Thus, as time goes on, the Queen plans to reform the monarchy in order to keep up with changing times and to continue on with such strong successes and stability.
In recent history, Queen Elizabeth II has ruled over Great Britain, as well as the nations within the Commonwealth Realm. Elizabeth is viewed with feelings of affection, disdain, and everything in between. Australia, for example, honors Elizabeth’s presence as their head of state. When recently given the option to separate from Elizabeth’s rule, Australians voted to remain a member of the Commonwealth Realm. The Queen serves as a symbol of stability and tradition in Australia. In nations like Malaysia, Canada, Kenya, and the Caribbean, the Queen is revered by the older generations and less recognized by the younger ones. Countries like Nigeria and India, however, hold feelings of resentment towards the Queen as a result of past colonization and suppression of their people by British rule.
The article "How the Common Wealth see the Queen" is very interesting. Many of the countries that were once ruled by the British Monarch simply see the Queen as a figure head, but not with any "real" government power. In Canada, for example, the people merely see the Queen as an important symbol, but not as the Head of State. In Australia, the people want to abolish the English Monarch all together. They want a "home grown" ruler, not one that lives thousands of miles away. Many think that once Charles takes control of the crown, Australia will be able to have an Australian leader. In Kenya, the younger generations know very little about the Queen, but the older generations remember her frequent holidays there, and her becoming Queen on Kenyan soil. It was in Kenya in 1952, that Queen Elisabeth learned that her father had passed, and that she was the new Queen.
~Veronica Geager
The Queen plays a major role in many nations. In Australia, the Queen is beginning to fade out with the population, there are some who support the Queen fully and then those whom wish to have a home based head of state.
On the contrary, Canada’s people are content with the Queen as head of state, although they have no had constitutional ties with the United Kingdom since 1982. Although she is the head of state, the governor general has pretty much the same power as the Queen. The view point of the Queen from the population’s perspective varies, depending on location of birth and current residency.
The ruling of the Queen in India is heavily debated, on whether or not they should be under her rule or not. In some areas the vote is yes and in other aspects the vote is no.
The Queen has more a personal connection to Kenya, the location of where she was when she found out she was named Queen after the passing of her father. The younger generation just regards her as Queen, where as the older generation has more of a personal feeling towards her as she was named Queen while on their land.
In Malaysia, it is pretty much the same situation as in Kenya; the older people have more of an affection for the Queen, where the younger population does not.
Since Nigeria is no longer part of the British rule, the people of Nigeria have little discussion or relevance with the Queen.
Besides her role or view in other countries, the Queen wants to evolve monarchy to current times, it seems is being described in the second article. The article mentions her thoughts on reform to coincide with the times of the present rather than the past.
Ian Murphy
Government
Block G
NOTE: I am aware that this post is late. I was too caught up in household affairs, but that's no excuse. Also, this post will not meet the quota for necessary word count.
The article "How Commonwealth sees the Queen" on the BBC News website, it is established that Queen Elizabeth of England has played a key role in the development of the recent political history. She says that by the time King Charles takes the throne, the government will evolve under the influence of a republican movement, abandoning monarchy completely. She believes this will provide stability; a view most appreciated by the people of Australia, Malaysia, and Kenya, while it garners more mixed opinions from Canada and India, and a completely negative approach from the Carribean. In the article "The Queen admits monarchy must evolve to survive" on The Independent news website, Queen Elizabeth claims that establishing a republic in favor of a monarchy is the only way to meet the needs of the people nowadays. Taking a look at the information provided by these articles, I conclude that Queen Elizabeth's demand for change will have an even greater effect on the nations with closer political ties to England. That can easily be said for the Carribean in particular, since they believe that the republican movement is nothing but a veil for the brutal British colonization centuries ago.
cherricka
The Queen admits monarchy must evolve to survive:
This article is mainly about the Queen of Britain keeping her nation together. Her main goal is to reform Britain and make it better for the people. The Queen has been with Britain through all of their struggles such as, the emergence of Commonwealth, the growth of the European Union, the end of the Cold War, and the threat of international terrorism. Many feel the Queen should stay on the thrown because she has kept Britain together despite all of their struggles.
How Commonwealth sees the queen:
This article is mainly about how other nations are connected with Queen Elizabeth of Britain. From the article the only people who like the Queen are the people who got something from her. For example, educated people from Malaysia are perfectly fine with the Queen because the British set up their education.
There are so many nations that is left with apart of Queen Elizabeth in them. I never knew she was head of state of so many nations. This prove she is doing her job as Queen. I was even said in the article, “ with her age, experience and wisdom she is an untapped resource in terms of statesmanship.” This means the Queen is mostly successful when it comes to connecting with other nations. The Queen has changed a lot during past history. Some nations feel she should stay queen and hope Prince Charles does not ruin anything, and others feel the Queen has done nothing for them. I guess it depends on opinions due to past experiences.
“How the Commonwealth sees the Queen” discusses the many varying opinions about how Queen Elizabeth II is viewed as head of state by the multiple commonwealths under her rule. Elizabeth is viewed worldwide as a symbol of tradition and a figure of ancestral history. On the other hand, however, many also see Queen Elizabeth II as a reminder of colonization and a past they want forgotten. Queen Elizabeth’s jurisdiction is admirable by Australia but isn’t too comfortable with Prince Charles taking over after her passing.
Like most other commonwealths, Australia may later prefer elimination of British ties altogether once Charles takes the throne as King of England. Nations like Canada, Kenya, and Malaysia all have different views. In agreement with Rachel, “typically, the older generations have strong feelings of veneration for Queen Elizabeth. The younger generations, however, have lost sight of the Queen’s relevance in their lives and don’t hold as much reverence and affection for her.” Places like India just about hate the Queen’s representation of Great Britain and would prefer to be disconnected from them. The article “The Queen admits monarchy must evolve to survive” by Ben Russell, explains a speech made by Queen Elizabeth II at a meeting. In her speech, the Queen discussed the monarchy’s advancements over the past 50 years and expressed her concern for the change needed in order to keep up with the moderations made in the commonwealths she monitors. Thus, just like any political figure, Elizabeth is disliked and/or admired by everyone she affects. The Commonwealth Realm that Elizabeth rules, have ever changing opinions about the leader as well as the monarchy itself.
Ann Morin Youssef
G Block
As for cultural influence, the commonwealths of England have mixed feelings towards the Queen. Some commonwealths, like India and Trinidad and Tobago, view the Queen as just a monarch. Other countries, such as Barbados and Australia, still revere the Queen. The reason for ignoring the Queen is usually because these countries have formed their own democracies and have little to do with the Queen. "The language is English," says Trinidadian journalist Tony Fraser, "and the traditions, the political systems and so on. They're very British in orientation. However, the kind of dependence and the kind of feeling that we were part of the British Empire, that has gone." As for political decisions, the Queen believes that the government must advance to prevail. "Parliament and the monarchy must evolve if they are to serve the needs of Britain in the 21st century," the Queen said yesterday in her golden jubilee address to the two houses of Parliament. She also stated, "What endure are the characteristics that mark our identity as a nation and the timeless values that guide us. These values find expression in our national institutions, including the monarchy and Parliament, institutions which in turn must continue to evolve if they are to provide effective beacons of trust and unity."
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