In his personal comment ‘On Britain’ Ralf Dahrendorf detected the continuation of a powerful, self-confident and easily identifiable upper class lacked by other modern countries like Germany or France and the rather persistent survival of its old values as one of the reasons for the peculiar nature of the inequality of the British society. He called Britain a ‘society of fine distinctions’ which as well as economic inequalities between the occupational layers are responsible for the deep class segregation most of Britain’s population are still aware of. Andrew Adonis and Stephen Pollard take the view that, even though classes themselves have changed and social mobility is extending, the British class system separates people to the same extent as it did half a century ago.
What does this class system look like? The simplest but still applicable model divides Britain into three broad classes - the working, the middle and the upper class each of which can be determined by the occupational positions of its representatives, their education, status, housing, manners and even by the language they speak. Dahrendorf compared it with a layer cake - the dough at the bottom, the chocolate on top and in between a relatively broad jam layer - and stresses the clear dividing lines which separate them and which are characteristic for Britain’s society.
Who do the upper classes consist of today and to which degree does the old upper class, i.e. the aristocracy, form the chocolate icing of Dahrendorf’s cake? How has its position in the society, its influence and its relevance changed? Can one argue that the British aristocracy managed to survive as a clearly defined class and what role do such institutions like public schools and the House of Lords play? These are the questions this essay is going to deal with.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Who belongs to Britain's aristocracy and to the upper classes?
- The national elite of status, wealth and power - A historical overview
- The loss and the maintenance of political power
- The preserved fortunes
- Social survival: The public schools - a melting pot for the merged elite
- Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This essay examines the enduring presence of the British aristocracy and upper classes in modern Britain. It explores how the aristocracy, despite significant historical shifts, has maintained a distinct identity and influence. The essay also investigates the role of institutions like public schools in perpetuating the class system.
- The definition and composition of the British aristocracy and upper classes.
- The historical evolution of the aristocracy's power and influence.
- The role of wealth and land ownership in maintaining aristocratic power.
- The impact of public schools on the perpetuation of class distinctions.
- The ongoing relevance of the aristocracy in contemporary British society.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage by highlighting the unique persistence of a powerful upper class in Britain, contrasting it with the experiences of other modern nations like Germany and France. It introduces the concept of a stratified British society, marked by distinct class divisions, and poses key questions about the composition, influence, and survival of the aristocracy in the modern era. The chapter uses Dahrendorf's "layer cake" model to illustrate the clear divisions within British society, framing the central inquiry of the essay: the extent to which the old aristocracy constitutes the "chocolate icing" of this social structure and the role of institutions like public schools and the House of Lords in maintaining this hierarchy.
Who belongs to Britain's aristocracy and to the upper classes?: This chapter defines the contemporary British aristocracy, focusing on the approximately 7,000 individuals and their families holding hereditary titles. It distinguishes this traditional aristocracy from a broader "Super Class" that emerged post-World War II, characterized by meritocratic yet exclusive elements within the City of London. The chapter uses a six-category class grading system to situate the aristocracy within the larger context of the upper classes, emphasizing its relatively small size (around 0.01% of the population) compared to the broader upper middle class (A category, comprising 3.1% of the adult population in 1995).
The national elite of status, wealth and power - A historical overview: This chapter explores the historical dominance of the British aristocracy as a governing class, particularly before the 1880s. It highlights the concentration of land ownership among a small number of aristocratic families, demonstrating the strong correlation between land, wealth, and political power. The chapter emphasizes the social hegemony of the nobility, their exclusive lifestyle, and the ideal of the gentleman, providing a historical context for understanding their continued influence.
Keywords
British aristocracy, upper class, social stratification, class system, public schools, House of Lords, wealth, power, land ownership, social mobility, meritocracy, historical overview, contemporary Britain.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview of Britain's Aristocracy and Upper Classes
What is the main focus of this essay?
The essay examines the enduring presence and influence of the British aristocracy and upper classes in modern Britain. It explores how they have maintained their identity and influence despite significant historical changes, and investigates the role of institutions like public schools in perpetuating the class system.
What are the key themes explored in the essay?
Key themes include the definition and composition of the British aristocracy and upper classes; the historical evolution of the aristocracy's power and influence; the role of wealth and land ownership in maintaining aristocratic power; the impact of public schools on the perpetuation of class distinctions; and the ongoing relevance of the aristocracy in contemporary British society.
How does the essay define the British aristocracy?
The essay defines the contemporary British aristocracy as approximately 7,000 individuals and their families holding hereditary titles. It distinguishes this group from a broader "Super Class" that emerged post-World War II, characterized by meritocratic yet exclusive elements within the City of London.
What is the historical context of the British aristocracy's power?
The essay explores the historical dominance of the British aristocracy as a governing class, particularly before the 1880s. It highlights the concentration of land ownership among a small number of aristocratic families, demonstrating the strong correlation between land, wealth, and political power. The social hegemony of the nobility, their exclusive lifestyle, and the ideal of the gentleman are also discussed.
What role do public schools play in maintaining class distinctions?
The essay investigates the role of public schools in perpetuating the class system, suggesting they are a key institution in maintaining the existing social hierarchy and the influence of the aristocracy.
How does the essay compare the British aristocracy to other countries?
The introduction contrasts the unique persistence of a powerful upper class in Britain with the experiences of other modern nations like Germany and France, highlighting the distinct nature of British social stratification.
What is the "Super Class" mentioned in the essay?
The "Super Class" refers to a broader group that emerged post-World War II, distinct from the traditional aristocracy. It is characterized by meritocratic yet exclusive elements within the City of London.
What are the key chapters covered in this language preview?
The preview includes summaries of chapters covering an introduction, the definition of the aristocracy and upper classes, a historical overview of the national elite, the loss and maintenance of political power, the preservation of fortunes, the role of public schools, and a conclusion.
What are the keywords associated with this essay?
Keywords include: British aristocracy, upper class, social stratification, class system, public schools, House of Lords, wealth, power, land ownership, social mobility, meritocracy, historical overview, contemporary Britain.
What is the overall argument or thesis of this essay?
The essay argues that despite significant social and political changes, the British aristocracy and upper classes have maintained a substantial level of influence and identity in modern Britain, and that institutions like public schools play a significant role in the perpetuation of this influence.
- Quote paper
- Victoria Krummel (Author), 1998, The old upper class - Britain's aristocracy, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/19540
