he Lilliland Monarchy

aron Von Lodge was the head of a small country known as Lilliland near Switzerland. The time was the early 1900s.

From time to time, in even a small, peaceful country like Lilliland, there were rumors of factions of citizens who wanted to do away with the royal monarchy in favor of another type of government.

The Baron often had dinnertime conversations with his chief advisor, Professor Hamblin, about these rumors of discontent among the citizens. Lady Angela of Alpine Castle, the Baron’s fiancée, was always present at these philosophical discussions at the dinner table in Lilliland Castle.

The Baron had often noted that history was a study in change. Great leaders and great countries came and went through the chapters of recorded history. The Baron often wondered how long the monarchy of Lilliland would last. It had lasted over 1,000 years but each year some new, important concerns had to be resolved.

Professor Hamblin often missed his years of lecturing at leading universities in England and reflected on the content of his observations.

“Basically,” Professor Hamblin stated, “the countries that seem to survive year after year can be calculated by the ratio between the members of the upper class, middle class, and lower class. Where the ratio between the upper class and the lower class is large, and the middle class is almost nonexistent, problems will arise quickly.

“Where the middle class is the largest group, the upper class is small and the lower class very small and treated with respect, the country will survive. The average citizen must feel that he has an important say in the matter of his life. They all want to feel that they are handing over the country to the next generation in a better condition than that in which it was handed to them.”

Lady Angela added that women’s roles must be upgraded from that of an advisory position to a full voting position. Also, that education is as important for women as for men in understanding good government and good citizenship.

The dinnertime discussions were never concluded, as the topics remained open. The world was changing and the hopes were that it was changing for the better for mankind and the preservation of the wonders of nature.