Can Monarchy Survive in Brunei Forever?
Printed From: History Community ~ All Empires
Category: Regional History or Period History
Forum Name: History of Oceania, South-East Asia and Pacific
Forum Discription: Discuss the history of SE Asia: Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore etc.
URL: http://www.allempires.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=27192
Printed Date: 25-Apr-2024 at 19:18
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.56a - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Can Monarchy Survive in Brunei Forever?
Posted By: Guests
Subject: Can Monarchy Survive in Brunei Forever?
Date Posted: 13-May-2009 at 09:21
| Brunei Darussalam is the only country in S.E Asia which is practicing absolute monarchy. In add, it is known to have the longest surviving sultanate in this region. Will this system continue forever? |
Replies:
Posted By: Peteratwar
Date Posted: 13-May-2009 at 09:58
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First Nothing lasts for ever
Second it will last as long as it is viable and people are happy with it.
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Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 13-May-2009 at 10:19
I wonder how people can stand absolute monarchy concept. No right to choose. No freedom in speaking one's mind. How Brunei does that? Other than tax exception. ------------- |
Posted By: Peteratwar
Date Posted: 13-May-2009 at 10:33
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'No rights' and 'No freedom' are not automatic with an absolute monarchy. It all depends how it operates. Wiser rulers know well that it is better to let people speak their mind rather than keep silent. What exactly do you mean by no choice. Are you speaking in pure governmental terms ?
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Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 13-May-2009 at 10:38
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No choice.. as it means.. well like in my country, we do have Sultanate system which is absolutely different from Brunei's. Malaysians have right to choose whom to be the country's leader in every four years through general election.
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Posted By: Peteratwar
Date Posted: 13-May-2009 at 11:30
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OK, so you are talking purely in Government terms. Well fair enough, we go back to the original premise that if people are happy with the system it will continue. If the system becomes oppressive then problems will arise and sooner or later it will fail.
The philosophical debate on types of government has gone on for centuries!!
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Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 13-May-2009 at 11:55
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Despite of the government terms which u had mentioned.. I did question on how Brunei's Monarchy manages to ensure the system long last which really make me curious. I did not say it should be ended. That is an interesting topic to be discussed. In addition, there's no harm to debate on something which can lead to something good.. people don't agree all the time.. isn't it?
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Posted By: Peteratwar
Date Posted: 13-May-2009 at 12:11
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I agree people don't agree all the time and that debate and consensus in reaching a way forward is possibly the best way. I say possibly because compromise can sometimes leave you with the worst of both worlds in which case should someone then take charge and force through more optimal changes ? here we go into philosophy!!!!
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Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 13-May-2009 at 12:30
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Peter... I rather let my topic remain in its scope. If you don't mind. ------------- |
Posted By: Peteratwar
Date Posted: 13-May-2009 at 14:11
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Agreed, one thing about these threads you can end up going in many different directions from the first!
Being an absolute monarch and trying to ensure yopur dynasty continues especially in this age, requires great skill. You have to balance people's aspirations and take into account that people as a whole are pretty lazy about governments. As long as the form of government they have is not too oppressive and lets them have a great degree of personal freedom then unless the individual has pressing political ideas of their own, the status quo will remain. You also need a good publicist!!
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Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 13-May-2009 at 14:43
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In what I do believe, as Malays are always having high respect on their ruler which is Sultan, this manage to remain popularity of monarchy concept among people in Brunei as it was populated almost 100% by Malay ethnicity.. Furthermore.. the size of the country is small so it can cause the successful of monarchy system due to number of population of the public. It will be complicated to have larger population with different cultures and races.
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Posted By: Peteratwar
Date Posted: 13-May-2009 at 15:57
| Indeed, where the ruler has the personality to command high respect things usually work well. However I agree the influx of people and other cultures can be bothersome especially if they are disrespectful of other cultures |
Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 14-May-2009 at 16:42
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Nonetheless, there was an attempt to substitute the Brunei's absolute monarchy system. For an example: Brunei Revolt - 1962, a rebellious campaign by Yassin Affandi towards Brunei. It was due to Brunei reluctance to join the Federation of Malaysia. I wonder what will happen when Brunei can't produce oil anymore in future... Another revolt? ------------- |
Posted By: Voskhod
Date Posted: 17-May-2009 at 10:58
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The oil won't last forever. If the Sultans are able to maintain or improve current standard of living and stability, then the Monarchy will probably survive.
------------- "All the true heroes of history will be forgotten and all the villains will be remembered as heroes." - Leo Tolstoy |
Posted By: Guests
Date Posted: 18-May-2009 at 07:04
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Despite of well manage government and good leadership skill which is shown by the Sultan, some wild gossip and scandal won't help in maintaining popularity of the royal family among the public. Refer to this last year article:- http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2008/06/11/Brunei-prince-could-be-British-jailbird/UPI-29671213212593/ - http://www.upi.com/Top_News/2008/06/11/Brunei-prince-could-be-British-jailbird/UPI-29671213212593/ But i bet most of the spoil rich princes and princesses all around the globe do involve in scandals..  ------------- |
Posted By: Peteratwar
Date Posted: 18-May-2009 at 10:32
| Yes they do that. However I hope the Sultan has got a good press secretary/spin doctor!! |