My theory of fantasy kingdoms is...well, it's just coming into focus now because of your post, so it might be a little whacked out...
So my theory is that we do count on our democracies, but we don't necessarily trust them all that much, especially when a dictator like George Bush starts ransacking the Constitution. The essential Truth in a lot of fantasies is that the Monarch is good and intends the best for his/her people (and is then threatened by Evil, or whatever). Or the Monarch is evil and will be supplanted by the farm boy or girl, who IS good and will be a good and trustworthy leader, as proven by his/her adventures and quests. And variations on that.
Part of the purpose of fantasy--some kinds of fantasy, anyway--is to comfort, and one comforting thing is that we can trust the guy in charge.
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That's a great post.
My theory of fantasy kingdoms is...well, it's just coming into focus now because of your post, so it might be a little whacked out...
So my theory is that we do count on our democracies, but we don't necessarily trust them all that much, especially when a dictator like George Bush starts ransacking the Constitution. The essential Truth in a lot of fantasies is that the Monarch is good and intends the best for his/her people (and is then threatened by Evil, or whatever). Or the Monarch is evil and will be supplanted by the farm boy or girl, who IS good and will be a good and trustworthy leader, as proven by his/her adventures and quests. And variations on that.
Part of the purpose of fantasy--some kinds of fantasy, anyway--is to comfort, and one comforting thing is that we can trust the guy in charge.