Historical Current Affairs Analysis

You are cordially invited to a talk to be given by David Bennett entitled ‘Italy – From Monarchy to Republic’. 

David is a key organiser of the HCAA talks and as such gives one talk each year.  As regulars to the HCAA talks would be aware David is a staunch monarchist and is the International Liaison Officer of the Australian Monarchist League (AML).  

The speaker’s belief in monarchy, while sentimental, is also based on the rational premise that constitutional monarchy provides the best system of government as a bulwark to protecting people’s rights against potential abuses by politicians.

David would like to share his knowledge and interpretation of modern Italian history to advance his belief a transition to a democratic constitutional monarchy under King Umberto II and Queen Maria Jose would have been possible in Italy had the June 1946 referendum that abolished the monarchy not been engineered.

Japan and Spain stand out as examples of constitutional monarchies which have fulfilled an invaluable role in facilitating and maintaining democracy despite previous controversy of having been associated with dictatorship.

Italy is now in a transition phase of adapting to a two party political system.  In this context historic justice demands that the role of Italy’s monarchy be analysed so that the missed opportunities and abuses of power which subsequently arose from its abolition are highlighted.  There will be ample opportunity to ask questions and/or make comment at the end of David’s talk.  

David’s talk will be held:

            7:30 PM on Wednesday the Ist of July at:
            The Golden Triangle Restaurant
            123 Park Street South Yarra
            Corner of Park Street and Domain Road
            (Mel ways Reference Map 58 B2)

By special arrangement with the Golden Triangle Restaurant the function room will be available for HCAA regulars to meet on the night from 6:30 PM onward.  Although refreshments will be served the restaurant’s management would be appreciative if guests purchased a drink and/or a meal.

RSVP: Monday the 29th of June 2009
Contacts (Listed in alphabetical order):
      David Bennett   (03) 9898 3629 s.a.a.editor@gmail.com
      David Cowling   (03) 9584 6247
      Klara Doroszlay   (03) 9889 6014
      Jim Hewat   (03) 9306 4318
      Andrew Knopfelmacher (03) 9529 7341
      Tom Rigg    (03) 9366 6168