In the seventeenth century, Britain abolished its monarchy due to civil war and political unrest. It was subsequently restored and eventually became subject to constitutional constraints. Today, a majority in democratic Britain views it as a symbolic institution that “reigns, but does not rule,” a unifying force of national identity and tradition. Yet a growing number, especially in younger generations, view it as an outdated and expensive institution that is antithetical to democracy. What is the future of the monarchy, and why does Britain keep it? How open is the dialogue surrounding it?
This event is co-sponsored by the Free Speech Project (Georgetown University) and the Future of the Humanities Project (Georgetown University and Blackfriars Hall and Campion Hall, Oxford).
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons user Roger Harris.
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John Battle served as a Labour Party politician in Parliament for Leeds West from 1987 to 2010 and was a Cabinet minister in the government of Prime Minister Tony Blair. He chairs the justice and peace commission of the Diocese of Leeds. Battle was minister of state for trade and industry from 1997 to 1999 and minister of state at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office from 1999 to 2001. He is a fellow at Leeds Trinity University and Blackfriars Hall, University of Oxford.
Laura Beers, a professor of history at American University, focuses on modern Britain. Her most recent book, Orwell’s Ghosts: Wisdom and Warnings for the Twenty-First Century (2024), explores the relevance of George Orwell’s writing for understanding modern politics. Her book Red Ellen: The Life of Ellen Wilkinson, Socialist, Feminist, Internationalist (2016), a history of Britain's second female cabinet minister, won the 2017 Stansky award for best book in the field of modern British history.
Darragh Gannon serves as associate director of Global Irish Studies at Georgetown University and Ireland Funds Fellow at the Princess Grace Library in Monaco. Passionate about history, he has always been fascinated by the rich cultural connections between Britain and Ireland. He is the author of the award-winning book Conflict, Diaspora, and Empire: Irish Nationalism in Britain, 1912-1922 (2023), among others.
Elan Closs Stephens serves as the electoral commissioner for Wales. She is an emeritus professor of communications and creative industries and pro-chancellor at Aberystwyth University. With extensive experience as a chair and non-executive specializing in broadcasting, cultural policy, and governance of public bodies, she has been a member of the BBC board for the past 13 years, where she chaired its commercial holdings. She previously held the role of acting chair of the BBC.
Michael Scott (moderator), senior dean and fellow of Blackfriars Hall, Oxford, is college adviser for postgraduate students, and a member of the Las Casas Institute. He also serves as senior adviser to the president of Georgetown University. Scott previously was the pro-vice-chancellor at De Montfort University and founding vice-chancellor of Wrexham Glyndwr University.
Sanford J. Ungar (moderator), president emeritus of Goucher College, is director of the Free Speech Project at Georgetown University, which documents challenges to free expression in American education, government, and civil society. Director of the Voice of America under President Bill Clinton, he was also dean of the American University School of Communication and is a former co-host of "All Things Considered" on NPR.