Why People Still Support Monarchies Today: 10 Key Psychological Factors

Whether they realise it or not, monarchy supporters are driven by a range of psychological factors.

It’s up to republic supporters to replace and fulfil these psychological needs.

1. System Justification Theory

What: People are motivated to see existing social systems as fair and legitimate, even when they’re unequal.

How it applies:

-Monarchies supposedly symbolise stability and continuity. Supporting them allows people to feel the system is orderly and just.

- Many citizens rationalise: “It’s tradition — it works for us.”

-This reduces anxiety about change and uncertainty in a fast-moving world.

Why It’s wrong: Not all traditions are good or fit for the 20th century. Change can be good. Denial about the need to change is unhealthy.

2. Social Identity Theory

What: We derive self-esteem from belonging to social groups.

How it applies:

- Monarchies supposedly serve as emblems of national identity.

-Supporting “our King” or “our Queen” becomes a way of affirming belonging to the nation.

- Criticism of the monarchy can feel like a personal attack on one’s identity.

Example: During royal events, flags, songs, and shared celebrations strengthen collective pride — “We” feel unified.

Why It’s wrong: Patriotism is the most one-sided form of love there is. It’s wrong to celebrate inherited privilege, inequality and injustice.

3. Parasocial Relationships

What: One-sided emotional bonds with public figures.

How it applies:

- Royals are framed like relatable celebrities — their weddings, children, and scandals create emotional narratives.

-People feel they know them, even though the connection is entirely mediated by the media.

Example: Princess Diana’s death triggered worldwide grief — not just for her role, but because millions had formed parasocial attachments.

Why It’s wrong: It’s not an authentic relationship. It can lead to denial or justification of abuses of power.

4. Authority Bias

What: People trust and obey authority figures, assuming they’re competent and moral.

How it applies:

-The monarchy’s rituals and hierarchy reinforce respect and deference to authority.

- Royal family members, with their posh accents and nice clothes, benefit from this deep-seated bias.

Example: Royal endorsements or statements are often treated as morally weighty, even if the monarch has limited political power.

Why It’s wrong: monitoring and questioning power is healthy. Respect and trust should be earned.

5. Nostalgia

What: A psychological longing for stability and the “good old days.”

How it applies:

- Monarchies represent a living link to the past, providing comfort in times of uncertainty (economic, cultural, political).

- The monarchy functions as a psychological anchor — a reminder of order, tradition, and endurance.

Example: In Britain, royal events often coincide with national reflection, helping people feel connected across generations.

Why It’s wrong: You wouldn't advise your friend to stay with an abusive partner just because they've been together for so long. Rose-tinted spectacles don't see the bad times.

6. Collective Effervescence (Durkheim)

What: The emotional energy generated during shared rituals or events.

How it applies:

-Royal weddings, coronations, jubilees — all can produce powerful feelings of unity and joy.

-These feelings get associated with the monarchy, reinforcing affection and loyalty.

Why It’s wrong: Republics also have shared national events. We don’t need £70m coronations or £150m state funerals.

7. Celebrity and Media Psychology

What: The media’s power to humanise powerful figures while maintaining fascination with their privilege.

How it applies:

- Royals occupy a unique hybrid role: they’re both “ordinary” (family, emotions) and “extraordinary” (status, wealth).

- This tension keeps part of the public emotionally invested.

Example: Royal documentaries and social media posts frame the monarchy as “modern,” inviting empathy and continued engagement.

Why they're wrong: many people don't question media bias or the manipulative side of PR campaigns.

8. Cognitive Dissonance Reduction

What: The mind’s effort to resolve contradictions in beliefs.

How it applies:

-People in democratic societies may feel conflicted supporting hereditary privilege.

- To reduce discomfort, they redefine the monarchy as “symbolic” rather than “political.”

- This allows admiration without openly betraying democratic ideals.

Example: “They don’t really rule — they just represent us.”

Why It’s wrong: It is misleading. They lobby MPs all the time in order to gain favourable conditions. They are political.

9. Mere Exposure Effect

What: Repeated exposure increases liking.

How it applies:

-Continuous media coverage and rituals keep the monarchy familiar and “comfortable” for some.

- The public’s affection often results not from active belief, but from passive familiarity.

Example: Images of monarchs on coins, stamps, and TV subtly reinforce their legitimacy.

10. Moral Foundations Theory

What: People base morality on core foundations (loyalty, authority, sanctity, fairness, etc.).

How it applies:

- Monarchies tap into the loyalty and sanctity foundations — they are “sacred institutions” and symbols of unity.

- Supporters often describe monarchs in moral or quasi-religious language: “She served her country selflessly,” “He embodies our values.”

Why It’s wrong: ignorance is bliss. Many people don't know about their abuses of power, hypocrisy and laziness.

Even in democracies, monarchies persist because they often satisfy deep emotional and psychological needs — for belonging, stability, identity, and meaning — far more than rational or political ones.

How can republic supporters counter those without alienating people?

The key lies in understanding those same psychological needs (stability, belonging, meaning, pride) and meeting them in healthier, democratic ways — rather than just “arguing against monarchy.”

Each pro-monarchy psychological mechanism can be addressed through a

counter-strategy that fulfills the same emotional function but aligns with republican values.

1. System Justification → Normalise Change, Not Disruption

-Change can also be stable: e.g., “We can evolve our traditions while keeping our national character.”

-Highlight examples of peaceful transitions to republics (e.g., Ireland, Finland, Iceland).

-Use language of evolution, not revolution: “modernisation,” “renewal,” “democratic continuity.”

Psychological goal: Reduce fear of instability by showing that reform doesn't mean chaos.

2. Social Identity Theory → Build a New Civic Identity

-Promote civic patriotism — pride in shared values (fairness, democracy, creativity), not bloodlines.

-Reframe patriotism as belonging to a people, not a person: “The flag belongs to all of us.”

- Celebrate national heroes, artists, scientists, and local communities instead of royal figures.

Goal:Replace inherited identity with participatory identity.

3. Parasocial Relationships → Humanise, Then Demystify

-Avoid mockery or hostility (which triggers defensiveness).

-acknowledge the humanity of royals

-Shift focus from personalities to principles: “This isn’t about them — it’s about whether power should be inherited.”

Goal: Break emotional attachment without breaking empathy.

4. Authority Bias → Promote Critical Respect

-Encourage questioning, not contempt.

-Use respected voices — historians, veterans, educators — to discuss democracy respectfully.

-Teach media literacy and civic education, helping people differentiate earned vs. inherited authority.

Goal: Shift deference from titles to principles.

5. Nostalgia → Reclaim Tradition

-Reinterpret tradition: show that the nation existed beyond monarchy.

-Create new rituals and symbols — national days, public awards, civic ceremonies — that feel emotionally resonant.

Goal: Fulfill nostalgia with pride in democratic heritage, not feudal legacy.

6. Collective Effervescence → Create Shared Civic Rituals

-Organise national celebrations that foster collective joy without royalty — e.g., festivals of democracy, science, or culture.

-Encourage public storytelling, local hero recognition, or participatory ceremonies.

Goal: Generate belonging and unity through participation, not spectatorship.

7. Cognitive Dissonance → Offer Gentle Consistency

-Gently expose contradictions: “If we truly believe in equality, why make one family hereditary representatives?”

-Emphasise values alignment — not shaming, but inviting reflection.

-Frame the republic as the logical next step in the country’s democratic journey.

Goal: Help people align feelings with values, not fight them.

8. Media Psychology → Tell Better Stories

-Use storytelling — not just argumentation — to make democracy emotionally compelling

Goal: Replace mythic storytelling with democratic storytelling.

9. Moral Foundations → Frame the Republic as Sacred

-Reclaim those moral emotions: loyalty to the sanctity of the vote and authority of the people.

-Present democracy as something noble and sacred, not just practical.

Goal: Make democracy feel emotionally righteous, not just rationally correct.

Republic supporters can’t win hearts and minds by arguing monarchy away.

We can only succeed by replacing its psychological functions— offering citizens the same feelings of pride, stability, belonging, and meaning, but grounded in democratic identity.