[September 23, 2022] The death of Queen Elizabeth II has come at an unfortunate time in the world, especially for Western nations. The Queen had a particularly grand level of fame, far above political figures that come and go. Dr. Jordan Peterson spoke recently in England about her and hyper-famous people and the difficulty of having people surrounding such grand fame that can keep you sane.
Dr. Peterson’s point is that keeping people around you willing to tell you honestly when you’ve strayed too far is invaluable. He goes into some detail about the governmental structure of England and compares it to America. All these “systems” are designed to include checks and balances to avoid corruption and becoming tyrannical.
While democracies have three systems balancing each other; the judicial, the executive, and the legislative, England has four. These three plus the symbolic. The Monarch holds the symbolic weight that separates it, to some necessary extent, from the political weight.
There is always a demand for the symbolic weight that the leader should manifest, for whatever reason or how England has managed to uphold it with minor corruption. The Monarchial system in England is to be admired for that ability.
The Monarchial system is tremendously attractive to those who do not have one. Millions of visitors each year travel to England for the off chance they will get a tiny glimpse of just one of the Queen’s family. Something compels us to see them. It’s like we have some deep-down need for the symbolic virtues the Queen stood for.
Queen Elizabeth worked with about 13 Prime Ministers. What a record. It is a good idea that someone like here could work with them all and intimidate them into keeping them in line with English tradition and upholding their cultural values. And she did a fine job of it.
It is easy to imagine how useful it was for the Prime Minister psychologically and politically to meet with this person who had worked for so long with so many English heads of state. One who had seen such an expanse of English history and to be subject to the Queen’s prudent and wise judgment in the highest degree.
Queen Elizabeth II’s family was remarkably free of scandals. That’s a fantastic accomplishment to manage for 70 years. She brought together the entire British Commonwealth and held together the shared bonds based on English common law and tradition.
Will the King be able to pick up the symbolic mantel from the Queen? With the support of its people, that might happen. Let’s all hope so.
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Good article on the Queen, Gen. Satterfield. The meaning here is something that I overlooked.
I miss her already and I don’t live in England.
I think that is the sentiment of many, especially in parts of America that have not gone batsh## crazy.
Let us give thanks for Queen Elizabeth’s commitment to the Commonwealth throughout her reign, for her service and dedication to its peoples, and for the rich bonds of unity
“The Monarchial system is tremendously attractive to those who do not have one. Millions of visitors each year travel to England for the off chance they will get a tiny glimpse of just one of the Queen’s family. Something compels us to see them. It’s like we have some deep-down need for the symbolic virtues the Queen stood for.” – Gen. Satterfield nailed it here.
My thinking as well. The Queen stands for stability, honor, and for family. The “modern” world rejects these virtues. 👀
Gen Satterfield, well said!
Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, gave the funeral sermon, noting that “few leaders receive the outpouring of love that we have seen.” He reflected on the Queen’s life of service and devotion to the church before recalling how the Queen comforted the nation during the pandemic with a speech that included the words “we will meet again.” “We will all face the merciful judgement of God: we can all share the Queen’s hope which in life and death inspired her servant leadership,” Welby said. “Service in life, hope in death. All who follow the Queen’s example, and inspiration of trust and faith in God, can with her say: ‘We will meet again.’”
… and no one will be like her and someone with such admiration.
“We remember her unswerving commitment”: The profound sermon at The Queen’s funeral
https://www.nowtolove.com.au/royals/british-royal-family/queen-funeral-eulogy-74823
As Queen and head of the Commonwealth. With admiration we recall her lifelong sense of duty and dedication to her people.
POW! Gen. Satterfield, thank you for introducing us to Dr. Jordan Peterson and his ideas. They are fantastic. Keep up the great works you are doing in this blog.
I cannot lead you into battle. I do not give you laws or administer justice but I can do something else – I can give my heart and my devotion to these old islands and to all the peoples of our brotherhood of nations. Queen Elizabeth II
The death of QEII is a loss not just to Britain but to the world. Gen. Satterfield tells us part of the story. There is much more to it, of course, that can be covered in a short article. But she was a stabilizing force in the West. Too bad for communist/socialist nations that have no brakes on their ambition to control the world and spread their evil ideologies.
She will be missed by all. While most Americans have no idea of what the Queen stood for and how well she carried out her duties, it is something we never had and never will have. But that is a loss to us all.
Powerful and spot-on. This is how a leadership blog should work.
Gen. Satterfield, u do not disappoint. Yes, very thoughtful and respectful.
For those on the liberal leftist side of the political spectrum who say women have no voice and that they are not believed, just take a close look at Queen Elizabeth II. Far from it. And, what about Margaret Thatcher? These women certainly possesed the highest values of their nation and were admired by all.
Hi Janna. Yep, the “women’s movement” has nothing to do with women but the redistribution of power from ordinary folks to a tyrannical-like power centralized in an evil political structure. In America, that evil is the Democrat Party.
Girl, you got that right. ✔✔✔✔✔
Yep, exactly why I keep coming back to Gen. Satterfield’s website. And, folks, please get Gen. S’s book, “Our Longest Year in Iraq.” That is how you can support this website.
Right, you can see his reviews at this link. Also, stop in and leave a reveiw.
https://www.amazon.com/Our-Longest-Year-Iraq-Construction/dp/1737915510/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1FOEYENUPSJNQ&keywords=gen.+satterfield&qid=1663937425&sprefix=%2Caps%2C58&sr=8-1#customerReviews
Wow, nice and insightful. Thanks Gen. Satterfield for giving us a unique viewpoint on the death of Queen Elizabeth II. She was, indeed, a great lady.
— and I’m glad that Gen. Satterfield left his article on a positive note. Notwithstanding, there are many especially in the USA that have said nasty and evil things about her. That show only depravity in their hearts and evil in their heads. Their ignorance and jealousy knows no bounds.