March 2025, Anyway…

Long ago many countries had a class of people called Aristocrats. These people were often in charge of large swaths of society, and had their lives paid for by taxes collected from the non-aristocratic classes. Numerous were the justifications for their individual power and positions; hereditary right, military might, the election of the people, and so on. But as an entire class of people, the justification, first and foremost, was that they were noble servants of their country and people. Without their guidance and oversight the society would surely crumble into chaos. After all, the term “Aristocracy” comes from the Greek words “Aristos” meaning best, and “kratos” meaning power; thus meaning rule by the best people; the experts, if you will.

They certainly did believe themselves to be the best. Many took pride in their noble causes, and felt justified that society was better on account of their position. They could imagine that if the taxpaying citizens were only smart enough to know what an important role the aristocrat filled, they would willingly pay their taxes with thanks. Unfortunately, the foolish underclasses never seemed to be aware of just how beneficial the aristocrats were for society.

If those people “served” were given a choice, how many would choose to keep paying for the service of the aristocrat? If these nobility were forced to petition the individuals for their living as a shop keeper or tradesman did, how convincing would they be? And today, what aristocratic experts are paid from the general coffers, noble in their intentions, but ultimately as unnecessary as the aristocracy of the past? What noble servants would leave their society no worse for wear by their absence? -Sero