Monarchy debate

                   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Контрольная работа для студентов 

1 курса заочного отделения по  специальности «Управление персоналом»

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Санкт-Петербург

2009

Задания под номерами 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,10 выполняются  письменно.

Задания под номерами 8, 9, 11 выполняются устно.

 

 

MONARCHY DEBATE

 

OBJECTIVES:	After studying this theme, you should be able to:  Discuss the factors that influence public opinion. Summarize the diverse views on the issue of Monarchy.  Express your own opinion on the subject.
CRITICAL THINKING: SKILLS:	Drawing conclusions Understanding cause and effect Identifying alternatives Predicting consequences Expressing problems clearly Demonstrating reasoned judgement

 

The Burning Questions:

 

Task 1. Before you read. Write the answers to these questions.

• Is there is a place for monarchies in the 21^st century?
• Should Britain have an elected head of state, like many other Western democracies?
• Are monarchies a cause for celebration? Should we care more about the births, deaths and marriages of royals than those of other citizens?
• Are monarchs nothing more than symbolic figureheads with little or no influence? Do you wish your country had a monarch, or if it does, do you wish it hadn't?

 

Task 2. Put down the translation of the text.

     Text “A”.  

Public Sentiments in Great Britain

For many decades in Great Britain the question of the Head of State remained taboo, despite other sweeping constitutional reforms. The situation seems to be totally different these days. The British public has strong feelings on the Monarchy as an institution, the Royal Family and namely – The  Queen. For the rest of the world The Queen is a figurehead representing her country; in Britain for many people Queen Elizabeth II and her family are a symbol they can identify with. The British public is obsessed with the details of the royal family’s life, and when people feel that The Queen has problems with her children, they see her as a real person with the same worries and anxieties as themselves.

On the government level a special commission, The Fabian Society, has been formed to help the monarchy meet the social and political needs of modern Britain. The work of the commission is aimed at the whole series of far-reaching changes. The investigation team is made up of 10 high-profile figures, including former Clerk of the Parliaments Sir Michael Wheeler Booth, constitutional historian Lord Kenneth Morgan, Professor Dawn Oliver, constitutional law expert at University College, London and Labour peer Waheed Alli. The commission took evidence from a range of people – including Buckingham Palace officials. Buckingham Palace said: "The report is a useful contribution to the debate on changes to the monarchy.”

The Queen herself is to be asked her views on the future of the monarchy as part of the commission’s study. The panel is taking a serious and objective look at the whole subject and is not starting with any  biased views. It focuses on the constitutional role of the monarch, the size of the Civil List, The Queen's tax status and the monarchy's relationship with the Church of England. As a part of the massive inquiry into the present and future of the monarchy TV viewers in the UK were given a rare glimpse of The Queen's meetings with the Prime Minister on BBC One.

Despite all troubles, the monarchy is still held in high regard by the majority of voters and any attacks on it, no matter how well-disguised, are bound to backfire. Tony Blair, the Prime Minister is also a committed monarchist and he has resisted all calls for a review of the institution. On the other hand a large number of ministers have republican sentiments and they are ready to speak out. Their demands range from complete abolition of the monarchy to Scandinavian-style reform with the monarch symbolising a more classless society, someone who's “above the political battle.". A whole series of social research have also spoken out in favour of change.

In Parliament, the chairman of the Commons public administration select committee has summed up what is probably the majority view by calling for a slimmed down, more modern monarchy. "If we don't do it now I'm afraid the monarchy will not survive the life of the present Queen," he said.

But the message being quietly put out to ministers and loyalists from Downing Street is "keep quiet." It was not always like this. Labour has a deep republican streak running through it and Tony Blair has already abolished the hereditary principle in the House of Lords. And in late 1990-s it was believed a Labour government was ready to redefine the role of the monarchy as well. Today the Labour adopt a liberal view on the issue and silence is the order of the day, though it is becoming increasingly difficult to silence debate on the monarchy.

 

TASK 3. Find in the text above the English equivalents for the following words and expressions. Put them down:

 

1. бесклассовое общество
2. убежденный монархист
3. полная  ликвидация монархии
4. номинальный глава; лицо, возглавляющее что-л. номинально
5. серьезное исследование настоящего и будущего монархии
6. общественное мнение
7. отменить принцип наследования
8. занимать беспристрастную /объективную позицию
9. придерживаться республиканских взглядов
10. принимать что-л. близко к сердцу
11. быть высокого мнения о ком-л.
12. соответствовать общественным и политическим потребностям
13. пересмотреть роль монархии
14. прямо /без обиняков выступить за реформы
15. внимательно  и объективно рассмотреть проблему

 

 

TASK 4.  Answer the questions. Put them down:

 

1. What makes the British feel so strongly about the royal family? 
2. What are the activities of The Fabian Society aimed at?
3. In your opinion, what was the selection of the The Fabian Society members based on?
4. Who are the respondents of the The Fabian Society’s research?
5. What issues is the research focused on?
6. What is the position of the Prime Minister on the issues of Monarchy?

 

Task 5. Put down the translation of the text.

Text “B”

The Changing Face of the Monarchy

In Britain the monarchy has not always been popular. For many years there were growing republican sentiments. During the reign of Elizabeth II the royal family has undergone considerable changes. The public has become much more informed about the lives of the royal family due to in-depth press coverage. Two of Queen Elizabeth's sons, Prince Charles and Prince Andrew, separated from their wives; both separations occurred amid a flurry of international news. These separations were surrounded by accusations of infidelity and along with the subsequent death of princess Diana damaged the reputation of the royal family. But The Queen seems to have succeeded in making up for all these bad moments.

The personality and family image of The Queen serve to remove the negative feeling.  In 1992 The Queen and Prince Charles agreed to pay taxes on their personal income, the first time the monarchy has done so.

The Queen has always been a roving ambassador for Britain, and if we calculate the increase in trade after a royal visit abroad, the nation probably makes a profit from her activities, and that does not take into account the income from tourism in Britain generated by the monarchy and great state events such as royal weddings.

In the spring of 1997, Her Majesty Elizabeth II launched the first official royal Web site, with 150 pages of history, information, and trivia. There is a "visitor's page," where both fans and critics of the Crown can voice their opinions about the Web site, comment on matters such as Prince Charles's relationship with Camilla Parker Bowles, and express their grief over Diana's tragic death. The site includes colour pictures of royal residences, historical tidbits, and even details about royal finances. Buckingham Palace claims it's the royal family's way of "making the monarchy more accessible".

 

 

 

TASK 6. Explain the meaning of the following phrases. Put them down:

 

1. For many years there were growing republican sentiments.
2. The public has become much more informed about the lives of the royal family due to in-depth press coverage.
3. The Queen seems to have succeeded in making up for all the bad moments.
4. The Queen has always been a roving ambassador for Britain.

 

TASK 7. Answer the questions. Put them down:

 

1. What events in the life of the Royal family damaged the image of monarchy?
2. What is the Royal family doing to restore its public image?     
3. In your opinion, why did The Queen’s decision to pay income tax influence the public opinion so much?
4. What made Buckingham Palace launch the Royal Website on the Internet?

 

TASK 8. Analyse the charts below. How popular is the Monarchy with the British public?  

 

How Popular is the Monarchy?

As part of a live BBC debate “OUR MONARCHY: THE NEXT 50 YEARS” the people in the UK were given the opportunity to have their say about the British monarchy. Voting took place via the telephone and Internet. Digital satellite viewers were also able to vote via their remote control handsets.  Among other things people were asked, “If there were no monarchy, who would you vote for as President?” More than eighty per cent chose Queen Elizabeth II.

Here are some other essential results of the 2002 opinion poll:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TASK 9. Render the following article into English paying special attention to the words and expressions in bold type:

 

"Mонархия – вне политики"

(Перевод интервью с экс-премьер-министром  Великобритании Джоном Мэйджором  в газете  "Дейли телеграф" )

В наше время  есть модная, но бездумная точка  зрения, которая заключается в  том, что институт монархии –– анахронизм, не имеющий ценности и обреченный на смерть, что никто не может и не должен получить работу по наследству, что в современном обществе осуществление любой власти должно искать оправдание через выборы, что мы должны постепенно отказаться от монархии и двигаться в направлении нового государственного устройства ––  республики.

Век почитания авторитетов ушел безвозвратно. Но это еще не значит, что нужно отказаться от наследственного института, который является испытанной частью нашего образа жизни. Поступить так ––  значит поддаться предрассудку и порвать жизненно важные связи, удерживающие религиозное, социальное, культурное и политическое разнообразие, составляющее Соединенное Королевство.

Монархия – вне политики, что неподвластно выборному главе государства. Монархия сохраняется как устойчивый величественный институт во времена, когда многие реалии старого режима ушли в прошлое.

Монархия  напоминает нам о позитивных элементах  британского характера: служении суверена своему народу, о долге и сдержанности. Все они составляют фундамент цивилизованного общества. Монархия поддерживает традицию, стабильность и, что ободряет больше всего, преемственность. Она тихо и терпеливо работает для общественного блага...

В странах Содружества –– даже в республиках –– сохраняется теплое отношение к британской монархии, которое идет дальше простого чувства. Оно приносит значительную прибыль британскому туризму, торговле и усиливает политическое влияние Великобритании.

Подумайте над тем, что случится, если монархия исчезнет. Президент-политикан. Потеря политической нейтральности главы государства. Соединенное Королевство, скорее всего, распадется на отдельные государства. Связи внутри Содружества ослабеют. У благотворительных движений не будет патронов ––  членов королевской семьи. Это будет Британия, изменившаяся к худшему, страна, лишенная своего самого выразительного достояния.

Но этого  не случится. Мнение большинства ясно и определенно: мы довольны монархией  ––  и по-другому не будет.

 

Task 10. Put down the translation of the text.

                Text “C”

      

The Future of the British Monarchy?

 

 

These days there is an opinion that if the British monarchy is to survive into the next century, Prince William seems to be its saviour. The son of the Prince of Wales is in no doubt to where his duties and responsibilities lie. His country has expectations, which he has tried to fulfil, delivering excellent school work and displaying impeccable good manners. He is only too aware that the monarchy demands personal sacrifices. From an early age William has realised that the weight of historical inheritance can sometimes seem almost intolerable. But for William, the challenge in the years ahead will be to find a way of fulfilling his royal obligations while retaining a sense of personal freedom.

Prince William denied rumours that he doesn't want to inherit the throne. "It's something I was born into and it's my duty...  It's all about helping people and dedication and loyalty, which I hope I have – I know I have. I’ll take each step as it comes and deal with it as best as I can."

 

It’s Interesting to Know

• Prince William was the first heir to the British throne to be born in a hospital, the first to wear disposable diapers, and the first to attend nursery school.
• The Prince can't fly in the same plane as his father because an accident might take the lives of two future kings.
• In his childhood after William slipped away from the security staff at Balmoral Castle for half an hour, he was given an electronic tracking bracelet.
• At the age of eight Prince William was sent to a boarding school, where he shared a room with four other boys. He spent five years there.
• It was widely reported that Prince William was allowed to attend clubs and discos if he obeyed the following rules set down for him by The Queen:

• No smoking, alcohol, or drugs.
• No kissing girls in public.
• Avoid being photographed by the media.
• Arrive and leave with royal aides.
• Be accompanied by detectives and a trustworthy friend.
• Get permission to attend the party, and be home on time.

• Prince William is around 6'4", much taller than his father, who is around 5'10". William is left-handed.

• The prince began his four-year university course at the University of St Andrews in autumn 2001. At first he studied art history, but in April 2002 it was reported that he was thinking about pursuing a geography degree instead. He was registered under the name "William of Wales," and kept a deliberately low profile.
• After graduating from St Andrews, Prince William will reportedly spend time in Wales, learning to speak Welsh in preparation for his future role as Prince of Wales.
• William shares his mother's down-to-earth style. He has chosen to postpone using the title HRH (His Royal Highness) and prefers to be called simply William instead of Sir.

 

 

DISCUSSION

 

Should the Crown skip a generation? To modernise the monarchy, perhaps Prince William, rather than Prince Charles, should be the next King?

 

Would you like to trade places with Prince William?

 

 

 

TASK 11. Render the following article into English paying special attention to the words and expressions in bold type:

 

Есть ли будущее у британской монархии?

Более ста лет назад королева Виктория провозгласила, что монархия не переживет ее больше, чем на 20 лет. Сейчас этот прогноз кажется слишком пессимистичным. Похороны королевы-матери в апреле 2002 года показали, что монархия все еще очень популярна среди простых британцев.

Однако, хотя сторонники республиканского строя находятся в Британии в явном меньшинстве, даже многие убежденные монархисты считают, что давно настало время перемен.