The Curious Resilience of Modern Monarchies
In an age of rapid social and political change, modern monarchies are proving remarkably strong and adaptable. A panel of experts discusses the power and purpose of modern monarchies across the world.
About This Event
Monarchs—whether cultural heads of states, religious figures, or heads of government—are seldom seen in the twenty-first century and often deemed a relic of the past. From the Gulf States and East Asia to Northern Europe, however, forty-four nations are currently governed by some system of monarchy. What is the role of modern monarchies in a rapidly changing world, and how do these vastly varying systems of government connect to issues of governance, democracy, and the rule of law? The Council convenes a panel of experts to discuss the surprising resiliency, and recent resurgence of, global monarchy.
About the Speakers
Professor, Southeast Asian Studies, UW
Based at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Tyrell Haberkorn’s research focuses on state violence and dissident cultural politics in Thailand from the end of the absolute monarchy until present day. She is the author of “In Plain Sight: Impunity and Human Rights in Thailand” and “Revolution Interrupted: Farmers, Students, Law and Violence in Northern Thailand”, as well as many related articles.
Journalist & author
As a reporter and author, Varagur spent four years as a foreign correspondent in Southeast and South Asia, writing on religion, politics, and fundamentalism—especially in Indonesia, where she was a correspondent for the Guardian. She is also the author of “The Call: Inside the Global Saudi Religious Project”, published in 2020.
Center for the Study of Modern Monarchy, Royal Holloway
Serving as head of the department of history, as well as co-director of the Center for the Study of the Modern Monarchy at Royal Holloway, University of London, Whitelock’s research interests focus on both history and the present day. She is an expert on the early modern period, focusing on the Tudors, and is developing a major research project on Queen Elizabeth II’s reign in the Caribbean.
Nonresident Fellow, Foreign Policy and Public Opinion
Paul Poast is an associate professor of political science at the University of Chicago. In addition to being a fellow on foreign policy and public opinion at the Council, he's also the director of graduate studies in the department of political science, faculty director of the Institute for Social Research Methods, a research affiliate of the Pearson Institute for the Study of Global Conflicts, among others.
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