Why do people love Monarchy and the Aristocracy?

[NAOTMAA Fan]

Attention! You're minds and assistance needed!

More or less, I'm looking for your thoughts and ideas on this very question. I have an World History culminating ISU essay due in about a month's time and I'd planned to do something in regards to how upper classes prior to upheaval (WWI, Russian Revolution and such) believe that their way of life would continue endlessly. My teacher thought I could delve into the idea of why so many average people love old monarchs and the aristocratic way of life, and without any real answer I thought I might ask you all here.

So, in essence, if you have any personal thoughts or even the slightest inclination of an idea on the matter, whether it be the question or my essay topic in general, please by all means share! Not only would I appreciate it but I think getting the thoughts of others is excellent and I really hope to make this essay phenomenal (I'm a Grd. 11 in a Grd. 12 class so this would be something that universities and colleges would be looking at and making decisions on!).

Do help! My deepest gratitudes if you can.

[I am_Tatianochka]

For me it is a love of history and to be exposed to ''worlds'' long gone....

[NAOTMAA Fan]

That's great! I don't really need any long answers, short and to the point statements like Tatianocka's  are perfect.

And thank you for your thoughts Tatianochka!

[clockworkgirl21]

I don't believe in monarchies at all, but I love to learn about the lives of royals. That's probably because I love history in general, though. But it's amazing that the IF lived in such luxery(sp). Considering, it really wasn't all that long ago. Some of the people who were alive back then are still alive today, and it's strange that all that happened in their lifetime.

[NAOTMAA Fan]

I think you bring up an exceptionally good point clockworkgirl21. Very interesting, thank you for posting!

[mcdnab]

Probably a good idea to change your subject.

I don't know that the European Aristocracy at the end of the 19th Century/early 20th century was that convinced life would go on as it had forever.  If anything in much of europe it was their swan song and many of them seem to have known it.   If you think of the growth in assassination attempts on Royalty in this period there was an underlying tension even in the most stable nations.

The writing of the period, the press reaction to the political changes in many characters is more descriptive of a society trying to hold its position in a rapidly changing world and not sure they would survive.   I won't go on as you wanted us to try and keep things brief.

As to your question for your essay.

Romantics -

These are people for whom the past is a wonderful romance - the stuff of fairy tales - a world long gone of which we only get a hint.  They don't long for its return but they like to read about it. If you remember that before the birth of mass media (film, television and radio) - Royalty and the Aristocracy were real celebrities - what they wore and did filled the gossip columns of most newspapers.  Most popular biography of these people concentrates on their actual lives far more than their political role.  For example the endless discussion about the imperial children wouldn't necessarily interest a historian because their impact on their world was minimal - they didn't cause the Revolution, they didn't govern and make mistakes etc - but their appalling end occupies the romantic with endless questions of what might have been. 

For these people you usually find they are more interested in the clothing, the jewels, the art, the homes, and the way people actually lived and related to each other.  (you could also call them social historians but only really interested in one narrow section of society).  They are far more likely to be interested in the personal than the political. Although that's a bit of a generalisation.

there are also:

History Buffs:

Who are fascinated with how the world has developed full stop - nothing to stop them being interested in individuals - but they're as equally interested in the political as to what motivated characters to behave in such a way etc.  Their interests tend to concern only individuals who had or exercised political authority usually.

The two aren't mutually exclusive because they have so many cross overs often you find someone who started being interested in one particular character develops their interest and becomes as knowledgeable as the most well informed amateur historian and often the amateur historian will become so interested in the political events of a reign they will end up knowing loads about the individuals involved.

There are others whose interest is motivated by the political and religious but they are  i think a minority.

[Constantinople]

I think there are a couple of aspects.  One that they have a genetic link to people who control or controlled states.  The second element is that they contolled enormous wealth and managed to surround themselves with unparalleled luxury.  The fact that this was inherited and not earned added something to the enigma.  Then there was the religious connection and the protocol that elevated them to a superhuman level of status.

[Laura Mabee]

I realize I'm late to the party, and many have put in a good argument.
The reason I was originally drawn in to the story was the tragedy. Much like how people are drawn to the story of the Titanic.
It's not the reason I'm interested now, but I do think it's part in parcel of why many people are drawn to the history to begin with.

[Ally Kumari]

I can only agree with Laura. The tragedy played a great part of it. But I´ve been drawn to monarchy ever since I was a child - to me it was connected with kings and queens and princesses......
I also like to discover things underneath the great political and social changes . that´s why I´m studying history!

[anna11]

The idea of living 100 years ago in a world that's not the world anymore appeals to people and because people generally admire people and things that they would like to be but are not. Why do you think all tv shows are about rich people?

[Lalee]

I also agree with Laura and Ally. The tragedy and the following mystery led me to find out more about the Imperial Family. Also, what drawed me to the Imperial Family even more was learning about their unique characters and personalities, reading about how lively and human they were, and their admirable unity and devotion to one another.

[nena]

Yes, and I also agree with GD Ally, Ferah, and Laura....
Romanovs, as ipmerial family were human, good person, kind...And thei charm and aleksei' fate make me interest in Royality, and when I read article about IF in my favourite Newspaper----year was 2005:
Link to that Newspaper article. 

[aleksandr pavlovich]

Referencing the opening post on this topic:   What actually IS the question posed?   The high school student wanted to pursue as follows: " I'd planned to do something in regards to how upper classes prior to upheaval --- WWI, Russian Revolution and such ----  believe (believeD?) that their way of life would continue endlessly."    Then:   "But the teacher thought I could delve into the idea of why so many average (I would like to know the teacher's definition of that word!) people love old monarchs and the aristocratic way of life."  To me the teacher's suggestion is rife for "surface feelings/reactions" with no real depth or statistical back-up.  The  student's question was apparently discarded in favor of a more simplistic inquiry.     Please re-read carefully poster "mcdnab's" most interesting section of his very insightful post, on "Romantics."   The number of responses to this original question here has been less than stellar, but "mcdnab's "Romantics" has neatly personified the majority of the respondents, in my opinion.  If this high school student bases the essay on these replies, there will be a very short essay indeed (minus the "padding." double-spacing, and usual "fluff" that students add! We certainly know that grades are often influenced by conspicuous effort shown---number of pages, illustrations, etc., rather than studious content---after all, it's high school!). Read again and analyze, the responses here, especially those of the high school student's peers ( i.e.  potentially high-school age range +) and you will find the same reasoning over and over again on predominately social themes: luxury, titles, people and things that the present day respondents are not, etc.  Conversely, posters mcdnab and Constantinople provide more food for thought.  I agree with mcdnab, "Probably a good idea to change your subject," rather than to try to develop a tepid essay on romanticized and redundant modern-day impressions.   (One last thought:  Buried within the original proposed question, is a nugget that COULD be expanded and made quite pertinent:  the effects and affect of WW I on the future of the monarchs and the aristrocracy so that their said existence did not "continue endlessly"- i. e. the loss of not only monarchs, but many, many of the young men who were heirs and family members of the aristocracies, the loss of their families' properties and economic ruin, the blame of the common people on their titled leaders for the subsequest misery, etc. .....but, realistically I digress: VOLUMES have been written on even fractions of these topics, and in this instance we are only speaking of a high school essay.)  Good luck on your paper.    AP

[Constantinople]

Aleksander Pavlovich
                             For someone concerned with irrelevance, your diatribe rambled and failed even more than those you criticised to answer the question.  I wonder what your point was.  I think most of the answers here were more germane than yours.  My understanding was that the student wanted to understand why people were fascinated by aristocracy and monarchy. Try to udnerstand this.  She is not writing a doctoral thesis.  She is a high school student.  And I wish the student luck as well.

[aleksandr pavlovich]

Thank you, Constantinople, for your considered opinion.  Our points of view do not converge, nor necessarily should they.  My points were to clarify, and NOT  answer, the question. It is recognized that the student is not at the doctoral level. The desired intent has been achieved.  It is good to hear from you.  Regards, AP