Arthur Balfour Quotes

Between a conservative republic and a constitutional monarchy there is merely a difference in form.

Americans are properly Britons. They have the manners, habits, and ideas of Britons; and have been accustomed to a similar form of government. But Britons never could bear the extremes, either of monarchy or republicanism. Some of their Kings have aimed at despotism; but always failed. Repeated efforts have been made towards democracy, and they equally failed.

I think it's a great shame that America stopped being a republic and became an empire.

The royal family's existence is a constant reminder of the hollowness of John Major's rhetoric, and idiotic statements by its leading members a constant boost to the republican cause. They're fine opening hospitals. It's when they open their mouths they get into trouble.

Of course we have Queen Elizabeth as head of state, but in many ways we are a kind of republic. We don't have royals in Australia, so it was kind of unusual to run into those kind of people. But aside from that it was quite ordinary.

The Royal family to me are not England, and they are not the flag.

I like all the families in the U.K. But what I like about the idea of the royal family is... they seem like they're well educated and there's something admirable about them. And the Queen... she reminds me of my grandma.

Cut off heads for me! Cut off heads for me! The French Revolution cut off forty thousand, and for all that the population did not diminish.

The Turkish state has neither a crowned head nor a dictator.

I am persuaded no Constitution was ever before so well calculated as ours for extensive empire and self-government.

We hold that the Constitution follows the flag, and denounce the doctrine that an Executive or Congress deriving their existence and their powers from the Constitution can exercise lawful authority beyond it, or in violation of it. We assert that no nation can long endure half Republic and half empire, and we warn the American people that imperialism abroad will lead quickly and inevitably to despotism at home.

In the name of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth of England and her successors forever I take possession of this kingdome whose king and people freely resigne their right and title to the whole land unto Her Majesty.

I am sensible that there are defects in our federal government, yet they are so much lighter than those of monarchies, that I view them with much indulgence. I rely, too, on the good sense of the people for remedy, whereas the evils of monarchical government are beyond remedy. If any of our countrymen wish for a King, give them Aesop's fable of the frogs who asked a King; if this does not cure them, send them to Europe. They will go back good republicans.

You cannot found a monarchy on this Continent.

I am available for kings and queens but not banana republic presidents.

The whole of Britain’s international trading system, foreign policy and even Britain’s various conflicting political parties were maintained for one reason; and for one reason alone – that the money power of the world may rule the British people and through them they may rule mankind.

British Empire

You may rely upon one thing — I'll never engage in creating kings again; it's too great a strain.

Polities need written constitutions for two reasons -- either to link constituent units in a federal system or to republicanize absolutism

Of course I wrote most of the Constitution myself. I remember hesitating for a long time over the US presidential system. But it wouldn't have done — we were too trained in English democracy to sit down under a dictatorship which is what the American system really is.

In republics the executive must be strongest because everything conspires against it, while in monarchies the legislature must be strongest, because everything conspires in favour of the monarch

I know there are some among us who would now establish a monarchy. But they are inconsiderable in number and weight of character. The rising race are all republicans. We were educated in royalism: no wonder if some of us retain that idolatry still. Our young people are educated in republicanism. An apostasy from that to royalism is unprecedented and impossible.

We wish not a diminution of the prerogative of … Your royal authority and our connection with Great Britain, we shall always carefully and zealously endeavor to support and maintain [it].

It conducts human societies to the true republic, that dream of all generous souls, which in our time can be realized in Europe only by constitutional monarchy.

If we carefully consider what our constitution is, we will conclude that it is, in fact, a limited monarchy.