Fanciful idealists often take for grant how exceptional a just liberal democratic regime can be. The present Governor-General of Australia, careered in the Australian army, offers some interesting insight into defending it in Malaysia. He also comments on why republicanism, in Australia, should not be taken lightly.

In 1999, Australians voted “no” in a referendum for a republic system for their country.

“We’ve got a very stable system of government. There has been no coup or civil war, in part because of the constitutional linkage between the Crown, the Governor-General and the Government of the day.

“This has given Australia great stability,” he concludes.