Jared Jackson
Aristocracy
Conceived by Plato and Aristotle, aristocracy means ruled by the few best. It is a government based solely on the idea that a system or society should be run by a small, elite group of individuals. These individuals would come from the upper classes of society, creating a hereditary chain of rule and power in the system. Once a family or group of individuals came into power, they would continue to retain that power through those they selected or their offspring. Sometimes an aristocracy would rule under a monarchy, but in a few cases throughout history these groups had the position of authority to themselves.
A real life example of aristocracy in history is the government system used by Sparta, a warrior society in ancient Greece. Sparta was ruled by two kings, but their powers were limited by the 28-member aristocratic council of the Spartan warrior class, the Spartiates. The Spartiates had authority over the two classes below them, the Perioeci, dwellers and craftsmen, and the Helots, the slaves of Sparta.
Examples
Another example in history is the nobility of medieval Europe. While most countries had a monarchy, most of the power belonged to the upper-class families. The heads of these families were given titles, such as duke, lord, duchess, and baron. These titles gave individuals a lot of power and control over the land they ruled, which was typically also given to them by the monarchs.
A fictional example of aristocracy can be found in Game of Thrones. The Houses in Game of Thrones can be easily compared to the nobility in Europe. These houses are House Arryn, House Greyjoy, House Lannister, House Stark, House Targaryen, and House Frey. They consist of the longest running high-blood (upper-class) families. Game of Thrones introduces several monarchs at different points, but the houses remain the same. The show does an excellent job at showing how much control this aristocracy has, even when a powerful monarch is in rule.
Annotated Bibliographies
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Aristocracy.” Encyclopaedia Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/topic/aristocracy. Accessed 9 April 2018.
Conceived by Plato and Aristotle, aristocracy means ruled by the few best. Because “the best” is subjective, it is hard to differentiate aristocracy from oligarchic or timocratic governments. In aristocracy, there is always potential for a nonhereditary group to rise to aristocracy and become a hereditary group.
Akshay Chavan. “What is an Aristocratic Government and What are its Pros and Cons?” 6 Aug 2016, https://www.buzzle.com/articles/what-is-an-aristocratic-government-and-what-are-its-pros-and-cons.html. Accessed 9 April 2018.
Most people would be scared to realize that not only could we once not choose our political leaders, but we could not even criticize them. The reason being, only those belonging to the upper social class rule, leaving those being ruled at their mercy. This article covers the disadvantages and advantages of the government known as aristocracy.
Aristocracy is a form of where its leaders are selected from the elite classes of society. It is assumed in this government that those with the highest morals and intellect are the only ones qualified to rule. The word aristocracy comes from the Greek “aristokratia”, which is literally translated as “rule of the best”. Aristocracy was formed in ancient, a highly illiterate society, making qualified men desirable. These desirable, high-class individuals would either rule by themselves or under a king. The ruling classes would appoint their heirs as successors, following the belief that leadership skills are carried in a bloodline.
Deering, Mary. “Aristocracy: Definition and Explanation.” Study.com, https://study.com/academy/lesson/aristocracy-definition-lesson-quiz.html. Accessed 9 April 2018.
An aristocracy is a small form of government where a small group of elites rule. These aristocrats enjoy the social and economic prestige and political that comes with their position. In our modern age, we typically associate an aristocracy with a monarchy, which is a government ruled by a single person. Aristocracies were a large part of ancient Greek government, along with democracy. Likewise, the Shang and Zhou Dynasties in China serve as examples of aristocracy.
“Sparta: Government and Classes.” PBS, https://www.britannica.com/topic/aristocracy. Accessed 9 April 2018.
A highly unusual form of government was used in Sparta. While two kings ruled the city, a 28-member council, composed of the aristocratic Spartiates, limited their powers. The Spartiates are most quickly compared to medieval knights, rarely seeking wives and children, with farms run by slaves. This class was the highest in Sparta, ruling over the middle class, the Perioeci, and the slave class, the helots.
“America’s New Aristocracy.” The Economist, 22 Jan 2015, https://www.economist.com/news/leaders/21640331-importance-intellectual-capital-grows-privilege-has-become-increasingly. Accessed 9 April 2018.
Thomas Jefferson once drew a distinction between a natural aristocracy of the virtuous and talented, which he considered a blessing to a nation, and an artificial aristocracy founded on wealth and birth, which would strangle it. This fitting for a time when there are three contenders for office whose fathers also ran for president.
Intellectual capital has become far more inheritable as clever, successful men marry clever, successful women. Children of professionals hear 32 million more words by the age of four than children of parents on wellfare. As more and more professional parents dote intellectually on their children at home, college education matters more than ever. America is one of only three countries that spends its more on colleges in rich areas than poor ones. The solution is not to discourage education on either side, but to encourage equal education and opportunities for those not predisposed to the opportunity. America leans in a somewhat aristocratic direction.