Re: <nettime> Fwd: Revocation of Independence

[David A Cox <dcox@netspace.net.au>]

Except that England is not a republic, and sadly, niether is Australia -
yet...

Constitutional monarchies work in very different ways from republics.
The Westminster Parliamentary system is not exactly famous for its
inclusiveness, or fairness democratically, and it was this model the
rounding fathers modelled the original post revolutionary consitution,
bill of rights etc. They were landowners and powerful men with property to
protect.

If anything, the vigour with which the Americans embrace the current 
presidential standoff is evidence of the vitality of their republic if not
of the efficiency of thier voting system. Arguably the US is still in
'revolution' mode all these centuries later.

DC

On Wed, 22 Nov 2000, richard barbrook wrote:

> Hiya,
> 
> I particularly liked the claim that the USA is the 'the longest running
> democratic republic' which conveniently forgets that black people were
> denied the vote until 1965 while we've had universal suffrage in England
> since 1927!
 <...>

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