What Is the Monarchy For?
1st Edition
Published on 29. April 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
192 pages
978-1-5292-3462-6 (ISBN)
Description
Does the British monarchy still have a place in today's society? Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's 'exit' cast light on institutional racism, multiple allegations around Prince Andrew highlighted troubling attitudes to gender and power, while the abolition of monarchy in Barbados accentuated its relationship to colonialism.
But what is the monarchy actually for? Does it benefit the UK, or cause more harm than good? The death of Queen Elizabeth II and the dawn of the Carolean age makes these questions more pertinent than ever.
Breaking longstanding myths around the monarchy, Clancy demystifies and evaluates the monarchy, showing why republicanism is nothing to be scared of.
But what is the monarchy actually for? Does it benefit the UK, or cause more harm than good? The death of Queen Elizabeth II and the dawn of the Carolean age makes these questions more pertinent than ever.
Breaking longstanding myths around the monarchy, Clancy demystifies and evaluates the monarchy, showing why republicanism is nothing to be scared of.
Reviews / Votes
"This book makes a forensic and salutary case for totally rethinking the British monarchy, an institution that enshrines indefensible inequalities." Priyamvada Gopal, University of Cambridge "What is the Monarchy For? provides a powerful dissection of the institution, until the answer becomes clear: nothing good. A must-read." Graham Smith, CEO, Republic "A probing and succinct analysis of monarchical power and its potential alternatives in an era of rising global inequalities." Brooke Newman, Virginia Commonwealth University"A brilliant analysis of Britain's most enduringly reactionary institution, by one of its foremost critics." Jeremy Gilbert, author of Twenty-First Century Socialism and Hegemony Now
More details
Series
Edition
First Edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Bristol
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
8 s/w Abbildungen, 1 s/w Tabelle
1 Tables, black and white; 8 Illustrations, black and white
Dimensions
Height: 126 mm
Width: 202 mm
Thickness: 16 mm
Weight
176 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-5292-3462-6 (9781529234626)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Laura Clancy
What Is the Monarchy For?
E-Book
04/2025
1st Edition
Bristol University Press
€14.49
Available for download
Person
Laura Clancy is a lecturer in media in the sociology department, Lancaster University. Her research focuses on issues of inequality, particularly 'the elites' and the monarchy. She is the author of "Running the Family Firm: How the monarchy manages its image and our money" (Manchester University Press, 2021) and is a frequent media commentator on the royals.
Content
Introduction
Part I: Real Power?
1. Stability and Continuity?
2. Ensuring Democratic Legitimacy?
Part II: Soft Power?
3. The Great Unifier?
4. The Ultimate Celebrities?
5. Public Servants?
Part III: Hidden Power
6. Post-colonial?
7. Custodians of the Land?
8. Twenty-first Century Feminists?
Part IV: What Next?
Conclusion
Part I: Real Power?
1. Stability and Continuity?
2. Ensuring Democratic Legitimacy?
Part II: Soft Power?
3. The Great Unifier?
4. The Ultimate Celebrities?
5. Public Servants?
Part III: Hidden Power
6. Post-colonial?
7. Custodians of the Land?
8. Twenty-first Century Feminists?
Part IV: What Next?
Conclusion