| − | '''Aristocracy''', from the Greek term that translates to "rule by the best", means [[government]] by an inherited [[elitist|elite]] nobility. The nobles, with titles like "duke", "count", "earl" or "baron," comprised a privileged class. The members have a [[Mandate of heaven|"right" to rule]] the country, and non-nobles have no say in the matter. Historically noble status was typically inherited from father to son, and usually tied to ownership of vast amounts of land. [[Farmer]]s who worked the land were politically controlled by the nobles. | + | '''Aristocracy''', from the Greek term that translates to "rule by the best", means [[government]] by an inherited [[elitist|elite]] nobility. The nobles, with titles like "duke", "count", "earl" or "baron," comprised a privileged class. The members have a "right" to rule (Mandate of Heaven) the country, and non-nobles have no say in the matter. Historically, noble status was typically inherited from father to son, and usually tied to ownership of vast amounts of land. [[Farmer]]s who worked the land were politically controlled by the nobles. |
| − | Aristocratic societies usually (but not always) have a [[monarch]]. The [[king]] is himself an [[aristocrat]] and has the power to create new aristocrats. In [[Britain]] today, the [[prime minister]] nominates distinguished Britons on whom the king confers a "peerage" or title of aristocracy. The aristocrats form the British [[House of Lords]]. The strong tendency in Britain is to move away from inherited titles; the new aristocrats have noble status but their children no longer inherit it. However, the House of Lords still contains a minority of hereditary peers. | + | Aristocratic societies usually (but not always) have a [[monarch]]. The [[king]] is himself an [[aristocrat]] and has the power to create new aristocrats. In [[Britain]] today, the [[prime minister]] nominates distinguished Britons on whom the king confers a "peerage" or title of aristocracy. The aristocrats form the British [[House of Lords]]. The strong tendency in Britain is to move away from inherited titles; the new aristocrats have noble status, but their children no longer inherit it. However, the House of Lords still contains a minority of hereditary peers. |
| | In many [[European]] armies and navies, until 1918, high rank was associated with noble status. Likewise high rank in the established [[Catholic]] church was often a privilege of the aristocracy. | | In many [[European]] armies and navies, until 1918, high rank was associated with noble status. Likewise high rank in the established [[Catholic]] church was often a privilege of the aristocracy. |