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Single Idea 19589

[from 'Fath and Love, or the King and Queen' by Novalis, in 24. Political Theory / C. Ruling a State / 2. Leaders / b. Monarchy ]

Full Idea

The distinguishing character of the monarchy lies precisely in the fact of belief in a higher-born person, of voluntary acceptance of an ideal person. I cannot choose a leader from among my peers.

Gist of Idea

The whole point of a monarch is that we accept them as a higher-born, ideal person

Source

Novalis (Fath and Love, or the King and Queen [1798], 18)

Book Reference

Novalis: 'Philosophical Writings', ed/tr. Stoljar,M.M. [SUNY 1997], p.88


A Reaction

Novalis was passionately devoted to the new king and queen of Prussia, only a few years after the French Revolution. This attitude seems to me unchanged among monarchists in present day Britain. Genetics has undermined 'higher-born'.