Annette 

Demagogues have promoted the idea of a Kingdom to the masses for centuries.  Most recently the Kingfish Huey Long's political slogan was  "Every man a king".

The locals have melded similar rhetoric with their animist myths to concoct an alternative island paradise.

The beauty of their posturing is that they demand a kingdom but whine they cannot anoint a King until they are given that kingdom.  The circular argument absolves them of responsibility for their plight whist allowing them to assume the role of victims.