True social well-being depends not on a king embodying the common good but on constitutional limits, rule of law, and decentralized institutions that allow traditions and market processes to adapt freely. Moral kingship is an attempt to “freeze” social evolution under the illusion of perfect virtue, replacing individual liberty with paternalistic order. Hierarchy is hubris: the fatal conceit of believing society can be led to goodness by conscious design.
A main problem with hereditary monarchy is: Why does being the son, or grandson, or great-great-great grandson of X who performed great deeds (maybe) automatically entitle you to the top of the pyramid?
True social well-being depends not on a king embodying the common good but on constitutional limits, rule of law, and decentralized institutions that allow traditions and market processes to adapt freely. Moral kingship is an attempt to “freeze” social evolution under the illusion of perfect virtue, replacing individual liberty with paternalistic order. Hierarchy is hubris: the fatal conceit of believing society can be led to goodness by conscious design.
A main problem with hereditary monarchy is: Why does being the son, or grandson, or great-great-great grandson of X who performed great deeds (maybe) automatically entitle you to the top of the pyramid?
An excellent primer!