Royal societies

[jbcohen]

As I read sci-fi and some fantasy books I am struck by the number of fictional societies that are headed by a King or Queen. There appears to be very few fictional societies that are headed by a democratic or other form of government. The only one that comes to mind is David Weber's Republic of Haven, which was headed by the Committe of Public Safety when it was the Poples's Republic and later it was headed by an elected president. I can't think of other societies that were headed by anything other than a monarch. I guess this is becuase a monarch society is easier to think about, it does not take much personel to implement them, a monarch a perhaps a chaimberland. Easy to implement, the demoratic societies are harder to implement.

[Apache]

The US and then France were the first two modern Republics. Lets face it, through most of history, most countries were ruled rather than governed.
Apache

[DiapDealer]

While you're right that the vast majority of fantasy (high and/or epic) employs a monarchy of some type, I don't think it's nearly as prevalent in science fiction as you seem to imply. There's countless examples of ruling councils, federations, presidents and the like in sci-fi. Plus, if you include urban and paranormal fantasy in your sampling, I think you'll see the monarchy's stranglehold take a sharp nose-dive in fantasy as well.

If it's "historical" in its setting (milieu, whatever), it's really kind of natural that a monarchy's going to be tapped for the governmental model more often than not (but I certainly appreciate it when the "nots" do occur. )

[jbcohen]

I have seen some examples in sci-fi books of non-monrachy societies such as the Legislaturist Havenite Republic, Peoples Republic of Haven then the Republic of Haven. One of them was a democracy (Republic of Haven), while the other two were oligarchies (rule by a group) being the legislaturists and the people republic of haven, simply different groups.

I believe that lord of the rings features a monarchy, don't they talk about "the empire" which is typically a monarchy.

The Chronicles of Narnia, I believe that was a monarchy since at the end of Narnia 1 they seem to crown the main characters, seems to be a big monarchy but a monarchy nonetheless.

Star Wars was a monrachy, they talk about the Sith lord which implies in my mind a monarchy.

Star Treck, Wikipedia gives the clearest dicussion of the federation council that I have seen and describes it as a chamber of elected representatives making that a democracy.

Harry Potter talked about a wizard world that appeared to be something of a democracy, they talked about the minister of magical affairs however did not talk about what sort of government the minister reports to.

So most of these sci-fi and fantasy worlds I am not real sure what form of government they have. David Weber's manticore is definietly a monarchy as we have met the monarch on several ocasions and often spoken with her.

[DrNefario]

Weber's Honorverse is very much based on the British navy of the early 19th Century, which is, I think, why Manticore is a monarchy with a hereditary aristocracy. Haven is France, with the People's Republic being quite blatantly based on the French Revolution (Rob S. Pierre? Seriously?)

Several other SF books and series are based on the same era, often indirectly, through CS Forester's Hornblower series. David Drake's RCN series and David Feintuch's Seafort Saga spring to mind. (I think you have to be called David. )

I'd imagine a lot of the Baen military SF is based on historical wars and actions, and will reflect the social structures of the historical setting.

I'd have thought there were more Emperors.

[DiapDealer]

You bring up Star Wars which clearly contains elements of two systems in opposition. The Empire vs the upstart Republic.

Harry Dresden's Chicago is still mostly like "our" Chicago (politically speaking).

Salvatore's Icewind Dale Trilogy features a group of ten towns governed by a democratic council.

China Mieville's New Crobuzon is a republic city-state.

Simmons' Hyperion had Tau Ceti Central—an ecumenopolis that was the capital of the Hegemony of Man.

There's stuff other than (mon|olig)archy out there—albeit rare.

Besides the historical aspect that has already been mentioned, I think a lot of it has to do with the scope of the story. If you're planning on writing a large series of fantasy/scifi books, it's likely that "Government" is going to need to make an appearance at some point in the fleshing-out of your world/universe. If you have no intentions of including political plots/subplots, then the benign monarchy makes a perfect, stable, little-forethought-involved background for your story (... and the King decreed).

Whereas a stand-alone fantasy book may be able to get away with not even addressing what form of government is in play. At all. And being that true stand-alone sci-fi/fantasy books are more rare than blue, speckled puppies... well... "it's good to be the King."

[jbcohen]

I believe the republic existed before the empire reference Star Wars: Episode one, where Chancellor Palpataine (I belive that's his name) is seen talking to a rather large council in floating boxes. I do not believe that we were told if the members of the council were elected or not. The Jedi Council seems to be representative body however I do not believe that we are told if one is elected to that body or not . I believe the sith are the only ones with a monarchy.

[DiapDealer]

I believe the republic existed before the empire reference Star Wars: Episode one, where Chancellor Palpataine (I belive that's his name) is seen talking to a rather large council in floating boxes

Yes... sorry for any confusion. It's just that I was watching/reading Star Wars before the whole episode "numbering" system came along to confuse everything. In 1977, the "first" Star Wars movie featured the Empire as the de facto power trying to squash the pesky Rebel Alliance that was nipping at its heels.

I believe the sith are the only ones with a monarchy.

Then why/how was Leia a "Princess?"

[Bikeridr]

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

Then why/how was Leia a "Princess?"

(Princess) Leia and Luke (Skywalker) are twins and children of Queen Amidala and Anakin Skywalker (Darth Vader).
Queen Amidala made Palpatine her councellor and later he went "to the dark side" and became Darth Sidious, a Dark Lord of the Sith.

Edit:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palpatine

[Penforhire]

Some of your initial thinking is certainly right. A two-party republic has checks and balances, making it harder to get something done. A monarchy just says "make it so" and it happens... right up until a revolution.

The thing about a monarchy is how the people must believe in their right to rule. It may be religious but it can also be based on social caste.

It seems to me that in the future, barring apocalyse, more people will believe in the essential equality of all men. I think that is an consequence of widespread education, connectivity (internet), and less reliance on man-power for tasks/jobs. I do not see how a monarchy can flourish in that future. On the other hand, I can see global corporations forming an oligarchy. If a small group controls space flight, advanced medicine, advanced power generation or any similar technology they could gain considerable power and take the place of regional governments.

[DiapDealer]

Originally Posted by Bikeridr

(Princess) Leia and Luke (Skywalker) are twins and children of Queen Amidala and Anakin Skywalker (Darth Vader).
Queen Amidala made Palpatine her councellor and later he went "to the dark side" and became Darth Sidious, a Dark Lord of the Sith.

Edit:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palpatine

Yes, I know.
I was just trying to refute jbcohen's claim that:

Originally Posted by jbcohen

I believe the sith are the only ones with a monarchy.

The fact that there is a Princess Leia and a Queen Amidala (who are not Sith) does that quite well.

[jbcohen]

I guess you are right I am not big on star wars I don't know the details that well. I am much more familiar with some other writers governmental systems.

[DiapDealer]

Are we starting over? Or were the reasons already postulated somehow unacceptable.

EDIT: Ack! History has been altered and thus my response rendered meaningless.