Baeguk

[beifengxiaoxiao]

The Dankioray
September the Ninth, 5643

"CRISIS OF CONFIDENCE" - Imperial Household More Unpopular Than Ever
Republicanism sees rise in Popularity as Imperials Accused of Extravagance, Corruption, and Unnecessary Use of Public Finances

It has long been argued that, since the Gwangbok Restoration, there has been a sort of social contract between the Imperial Household and their subjects. The Emperor provides stability and legitimacy to rule, and in return for the political security that allows for economic flourishing the people allow a monarchy established in the 23rd century BC to continue to wield tremendous power unbound by the Constitution nominally devolving their absolute powers to the Senate, which many increasingly view as a mere rubber stamp among the many Imperial decrees that have extralegally made policy on the whims of the Imperials instead of elected representatives.

Now the monarchy has begun to receive its' worst polling in ages among subjects as economic hardship and extreme inequality shine a light on how luxuriously and carefree the Imperial Family live compared to the average people. Still haunted by the wasteful and controversial debaucheries of Empress Ryeomi, the Imperials continue to have an image issue, seen as permanently detached from the people and siphons on the public treasury.

Support for the Republican system of governance is now estimated by pollsters to be well in the 50%-60% range, marking the first time since the Gwangbok restoration that Republicanism has become the majority position of the people. Monarchism was once thought unquestionable, but as the political institutions of centuries find backlash in a Baeguk that is seen as stagnant, contracting and failing its people, there is no doubt that such popular surge has called these old pillars into an existential question. A reckoning may very well come soon on the horizon.