aristocracy rule. What is an aristocracy? The meaning and interpretation of the word aristokratija, the definition of the term What form of state government means aristocracy

Aristocracy There is another form of rhodocracy - aristocracy, the essence of which is that representatives of noble families choose the head of state or govern collectively. Of course, as in the case of a monarchy, the people are embittered by the fact that their opinion is not taken into account, but when

The aristocracy (from the Greek ἀριστεύς, “the noblest, noblest origin” and κράτος, “power, state, power”) is a privileged class of society, mainly consisting of representatives of the most noble families, the nobility.

Aristocracy is also a form of government by a minority of the noblest representatives of society (in contrast to the sole hereditary rule of a monarch, the sole elective rule of a tyrant or democracy). Features of this form of government can be seen in some of the city-states of antiquity (Ancient Rome, Sparta, etc.) and in some of the medieval republics of Europe. It is opposed to early democracy, in which sovereign power is recognized as belonging to the entire population or the majority of citizens. At the heart of the Aristocracy lies the idea that only the elite, the best minds, should govern the state. But in reality the question of this election finds a different solution; in some aristocracies, the determining principle is the nobility of origin, in others military prowess, higher mental development, religious or moral superiority, and finally, also the size and type of property. However, in most aristocracies, several of these factors, or all of them together, are combined to determine the right to state power. In addition to the state form, the highest aristocratic classes are also called Aristocrats. Belonging to them may be due to the birth and inheritance of certain real estate (patrimonial aristocracy, to know in the strict sense), or it is associated with the acquisition of special conditions that presuppose it (monetary and bureaucratic aristocracy, noblesse financiere, noblesse de la robe), or, finally, achieved by election. The popular aristocracy of ancient Rome belonged to the latter family. The tribal and landed aristocracy reached its full development in the feudal organization of the new European society, which appeared to replace the ancient civilization; in the struggle against this medieval aristocracy, the principle of the modern monarchy grew and became stronger. A decisive, mortal blow was dealt to it by the great French Revolution, laying the foundation for the domination of the moneyed Aristocracy, which has now established its dominion in all European states. The essence of the aristocratic principle was that domination should belong to the best people and led to three important consequences. The first is that even in non-republican states, that is, in monarchies, aristocratic elements participate, if not directly in the possession of supreme power, then in its administration, and, moreover, practically everywhere, but by virtue of state-legal powers in the so-called representative monarchies. The latter is carried out mainly in the form of the upper chambers; but the lower chambers, or houses of representatives, as well as in general any representation of the people, in turn, also rest on the aristocratic principle. The second consequence is that even the broadest democracy not only tolerates aristocratic elements, but in reality is nothing but an extended aristocracy, so that both of them are relative concepts and represent only different degrees of development of the same state form of one and the same the beginning that defines it. Finally, the third consequence is that in all social unions, political, social, and even ecclesiastical, formed within the state, as well as in international unions of states, the aristocratic principle appears everywhere. The term was introduced into use by ancient idealist philosophers (Plato, Aristotle).

Plato created a model of an ideal state - the aristocracy.

The main features of the aristocracy according to Plato:

The basis is slave labor;
the state is ruled by "philosophers";
the country is guarded by warriors and aristocrats;
below are the "artisans";
the entire population is divided into 3 estates;
philosophers and warriors should not have private property;
there is no closed family.

The main difference between the aristocracy and the oligarchy is the aristocracy's concern for the welfare of the entire state, and not exclusively for the welfare of its own class, which is similar to the difference between a monarchy and tyranny.

Aristocracy, in the literal sense, is the rule of the best people, or the most capable

parts of society.

The basic principle of this form of government lies in the highest ability,

and since the ability of the state consists mainly in the understanding

laws that govern human societies, the aristocracy represents

predominantly an element of the legal order that rules over people.

Best

people are the keepers of this order.

The aristocracy is usually divided into natural and artificial. First

based on the natural superiority of some people over others, the second

on legal grounds, that is, on the pre-eminence of the right. But at the base of every

the artificial aristocracy always has a natural superiority; otherwise

she can't hold on.

A natural aristocracy exists in every society. Everywhere there is quantity

and quality, the masses and classes, towering above others with their education

and wealth. This difference is rooted in the very development of mankind. Material

and the intellectual property acquired by the labor of one generation forms capital,

which is passed on to the next generation and gives its owners an outstanding

position among others. Higher development is always the property of a minority.

Primitive equality is a state of primitive savagery, when the inherent

ability has not yet emerged. Movement begins precisely with what is shown

difference of abilities, and with it inequality is established. The less

society is educated, the more sharply this inequality is indicated, because the less

the number of people with higher education and wealth. Further development

leads to the fact that both these elements, education and prosperity, more and more

spread among the masses. However, this process can never erase

inherent inequality in human nature, which is maintained not only

difference in abilities, living conditions and hereditary heritage, but

and the most diverse vocations of people on earth. Man's dominion over nature

requires a huge amount of physical labor, and this constitutes a vocation

masses. On the contrary, mental labor, which includes political activity,

always belongs to a minority, a select part of the people. It develops

predominantly in sufficient classes, towering over the mass of the working population.

Thus, due to the natural division of society and the laws of its development,

quality rises above quantity. Both of these elements are necessary

every human society, just as they are inherent, one might say, in every

The natural aristocracy becomes legal when it is clothed

special rights.

This is done by virtue of the fact that the highest quality befits

higher law; otherwise it will be overwhelmed by quantity. This is the demand for truth

distributive, which gives each element its proper place in the general

building. However, if these rights are available to everyone, as, for example, when setting

a certain qualification for voters, then an aristocracy is not formed from this,

as a separate class. The latter occurs only where rights are assigned

personally or hereditary known category of people. And this is done by

historical process that distinguishes a certain category of citizens from the rest

masses. But in this legal isolation lies, at the same time, a weak

side of aristocratic rule. It can only stay where

legal advantages coincide with natural superiority. How soon

education and prosperity spill over into other classes, so the latter naturally

demand participation in the government, and this sooner or later leads to the fall of the aristocracy

or mixing it with other elements.

Arising from the natural relation of the social elements, the aristocracy

bears the stamp of the social structure from which it originated.

And since this structure can be very different, the forms of aristocracy

may be varied. There are forms that arise from non-state unions,

and others based on state principles.

The first form is tribal and tribal aristocracy. It arises from

blood union. A well-known tribe, constituting the grain of the state due to the initial

settlements or conquests, enjoys full political rights; rest,

adjoining or conquered tribes have lesser rights. Such was

ancient aristocracy. Examples are the Spartans and the Roman patricians. Latest

themselves consisted of several small tribes. Or in a well-known tribe the elders

families enjoy greater honor and greater rights than others. These are

there were Germanic Adalings and Athenian Eupatrides.

The second form is the class aristocracy. Under the dominance of class life,

political activity becomes the property of a certain class, which

through this it gains a predominant importance in society. This value is passed

by inheritance, along with occupation and property, for, under the dominance of private

view of social relations, honor and right are considered property

person who betrays them to his offspring. It's an aristocracy par excellence

military, but also urban. In free communities, political power becomes

the hereditary property of the ruling corporation;

The third form is the religious aristocracy. It originates in theocracy.

Religion gives a sacred meaning to the structure of estates, which through this become

castes. The priests form the spiritual aristocracy, and the warriors form the secular aristocracy.

The fourth form is the political aristocracy. It stems from the practice

the highest government positions. Such were the optimates in Rome, the races of people,

sitting in the Senate as a result of being elected to senior positions. Same character

was worn by the aristocracy in some Swiss cantons, although here it was mixed

and class beginning. Such, finally, are the English lords who sit at the top

Often the aristocracy within itself is divided into higher and lower. Some

genera are naturally given out from others by wealth, influence, connections, constant

holding top positions. Others, on the contrary, become poorer and descend to a lower

step. This division is factual, but it also turns into a legal one.

So, in the West, the nobility was everywhere divided into higher and lower, depending

from the hierarchy of fiefdom. We also had more or less noble families.

The honor acquired by holding public office was passed on to posterity,

from which a whole parochial hierarchy was formed. Similar divisions we find

and in free communities. So, in Lucerne, more noble families formed a Small Council.

With such a structure, the lower aristocracy usually has a class character,

higher political.

In connection with this division there is another: sometimes the aristocracy is divided

into old and new, of which the former enjoys greater rights than the latter.

So it was in Genoa. In general, such divisions are characteristic of blood union and estate

everyday life; the political aristocracy has a desire to equalize the rights of the ruling

estates in the name of state principles.

The most important question in aristocratic rule is how

acquired rights? The main way is heredity. Aristocracy

there is an institution predominantly historical. Notable births, ranking higher

position in society and devoting himself mainly to political activities,

pass on their occupations, their position, their views and their influence from a generation

per generation. This is how solid historical traditions are established and preserved

unshakable legal order in the very process of development. But at the same time, it arises

question: to whom does the inheritance right pass: to all descendants, or only

to the eldest in the family, by birthright: Various types of aristocracy lead

in this respect to different principles. In the tribal and estate aristocracy, the right

usually passes on to all children, although the eldest sometimes gets an advantage

in front of others; in the political aristocracy, law usually dominates

primogeniture, for the position can be held by only one person.

But in addition to hereditary transmission, rights can also be acquired by outsiders.

persons. This requires certain conditions, somehow, prominence

kind, wealth or merit. In a pure aristocracy, communion takes place

topics. that the estate itself accepts new members from outsiders. So

was, for example, in Bern, in Genoa. In mixed forms, there may be a choice

in positions that give the highest rights, for example, when appointing senators in Rome,

or appointment by the king: thus are appointed English peers.

Purely aristocratic rule is a very rare occurrence in

stories. It is usually mixed with other forms. The mass is easier to obey

a single monarch, exalted above all, rather than a privileged estate,

which, constantly coming into contact with the rest of the classes, arouses in them envy,

and often justified displeasure. Those pure aristocracies that we

we meet in history, arose either from a ruling tribe, or from an urban

life. An example of the first is Sparta, examples of the second are Venice and Bern.

In the aristocracy the supreme power is divided among the many; so here

an artificial device is needed. Power is divided into separate branches,

which are bound by a common law. Usually found here are:

institutions that flow from the very essence of aristocratic rule:

1) The Great Council, or the meeting of all members of the ruling class.

In the tribal aristocracy, this meaning is the assembly of the people. Such was

Spartan Ecclesia. Since the members of the estate are assigned a personal right,

then their participation in the council is direct. Pure aristocracy seldom allows

representation. However, with the multiplicity of the estate, one has to resort

and to this tool. So, in Lucerne, before French rule, the Grand Council

consisted of 100 members elected by 500 full citizens. In Zurich

The Grand Council consisted of 212 elected members. However, in Lucerne the introduction of representation

led to the fact that, in addition to the Grand Council, on important issues, for example, about the war

and the world, on the establishment of new taxes, a general meeting of full-fledged

citizens. Sometimes the Grand Council replenishes itself in the event of a departure of members.

was the rule in Bern. Here the Great Council consisted of 299 members; he replenished

when there were up to a hundred vacancies. The choice was made by sixteen members (Seizeniers),

elected by the Council. In general, the Grand Council is given the decision or approval

the most important legislative and governmental measures. Where there is no general meeting

ruling class, he is the real bearer of supreme power.

2) Small Council, or Senate, composed mostly of elected members.

He forms the real government. The essence of the aristocracy is contradicted by the handing

government authority to one person. Regardless of the danger of abuse

power, there is a reason for this, which lies in the very nature of government. estate,

animated by a corporate spirit, it is common to put a collegium at the head,

expressing this spirit. The election is usually made by the popular assembly,

as in Sparta, or the Great Council. This is how the Venetian pregadi, the Genoese

Small Council, Bernese Senate. But in Lucerne the Small Council, or the Senate itself

replenished, thus forming the highest aristocracy. In Zurich, with 50 members

Senate 22 were elected by the Grand Council, and 28 by the nobility, that is, the city

aristocracy,

3) Individuals are needed for direct execution; at their head

can stand one or more, temporarily or for life. Always in Sparta

there were two kings, from which it is already clear that their power did not have anything monarchical in it,

other than heredity. The Spartan kings were not subjects of supreme power;

they were nothing more than military leaders and executors of the decrees of Gerusia and the people's

assembly. Venice had one doge for life, with six councillors, who made up

Signoria. Genoa also had a Doge and a Signoria of twelve councillors. in Bern

there were two life dignitaries, called avoyers; there were also two in Lucerne

avoyers, there are two burgomasters in Zurich. Both were elected annually.

4) The possibility of intrigues and abuses, which lies in the very structure of the aristocracy

and constituting its weak side, leads to the establishment of the fourth supervising power.

She is entrusted with the protection of the legal order, which is the very essence of the aristocratic

board. As a result, it often becomes the highest government

authority to which everyone else is subject. Such were the ephors in Sparta, in

Venice Council of Ten, Council of Three and state inquisitors, censors in Genoa

and state inquisitors. This power is a feature of the aristocratic

board, which, however, is not found everywhere. It was not in Switzerland.

5) Courts are usually composed of members of the upper class. The court may

however, to be submitted to either the Small Council, with an appeal in some cases

Great, as was established in Lucerne and Zurich, or special colleges,

what were the quarantia in Venice, with two other colleges elected by the Great

Council. In Genoa, according to the custom of free cities, judges were selected from strangers,

however, with an appeal to the Great Assembly, composed of the Signoria and a hundred members

Big Council.

Such is the constitution of the pure aristocracy. All this belongs to the area

of the past. Aristocratic governments that emerged from the medieval order

collapsed, being powerless before the development of the new time. In new states

the aristocratic element has not retained its place everywhere, but where it has held

he is combined with others.

In theory, the aristocracy is very different from the descriptions in history. Two famous Greek philosophers, Aristotle and Plato, actually developed the idea of ​​aristocracy. According to their concept, an aristocrat is a representative of the most capable part of the population, who is responsible for all his actions and must be included in, but this was contrary to the Greek democracy of that time. In practice, some difficulties arose in the implementation of the aristocratic form of government. Basically, due to the inability to determine who is most suitable for these purposes.

History of occurrence

The idea of ​​aristocracy has spread widely throughout the world. Most governments have decided that the only way to tell if a person is capable of governing is to look at their pedigree. An aristocrat is one whose parents were successful, rich and famous. It was thought to be more privileged and excellent. This went on for generations, regardless of the effectiveness of such an idea. This eventually led to the emergence of royal families, and the term "aristocracy" became directly associated with the idea of ​​monarchy.

There were other aristocrats who did not have deep genealogical roots. In some countries, status was directly based on things like wealth, regardless of origin. In others, it may have been due to religious factors. Sometimes a number of such components allowed a person to become an aristocrat in some countries.

What is aristocratic style?

The aristocracy is as old as mankind. Ancient Greek philosophers recognized the importance of certain individuals, their superiority and set a standard of behavior. They had to keep a certain distance from other people so as not to be influenced by anyone in their pursuit of the ideal.

The aristocratic style is basically the desire to be physically perfect, but this is rarely achieved. Sometimes it is a military, political, cultural career, but always impeccable.

Humanity needs ideals. To create them is the work of an aristocrat who is a civilized man, an elegant man, a brave personality. An aristocrat is one who does not feel bound by universal norms of behavior and is often eccentric, but in fact his life is significantly different.

Elements of aristocracy:

• education;
• responsibility;
• wealth;
• taste;
• style;
• idleness.

Wealth, idleness and responsibility of the upper class

In a discussion of upper-class idleness, one inevitably turns to the question of work in the conventional sense.

The truth is that the real aristocracy was never an idle class. Its responsible task was to educate citizens, to ensure law and order. This distinguishes the aristocrats from the bourgeois. The former take pleasure and pride in their activities, while the bourgeois work in order to simply make money that can be spent in their free time. An aristocrat is a person who evaluates his life as a benefit to society, so it becomes not so much work as a ritual.

Idleness was in vogue during the Renaissance among the merchants and the lesser nobility, who wanted to consolidate their power and show that they did not need to earn a living. This has been practiced to this day.

Money seems to create an elite. There are stories of people who wanted to be part of the elite and used material wealth as a ticket to high society.

Money is indeed a means to an end. They provide access to certain benefits, such as education and quality goods and services. But you can become an elite without having huge funds.

The perfection of an aristocrat consists of good manners, education and style of dress. Money helps to acquire these things, but it does not guarantee aristocracy.

aristocratic education

Education really defines an aristocrat in society. For high society, education is an essential element and affects the right of entry into this society even more than money. The aristocrat of the spirit is that unique person who became part of the elite thanks to knowledge and talents.

Discussions on history, literature, and politics replace discussions of sports news and TV shows for aristocrats. Knowledge of the subtle aspects of the development of many civilizations in a conversation replaces complaints about corrupt politicians and taxes. The aristocrat knows that the world is not perfect and does not get upset when problems arise. They are in pursuit of something completely different - absolute knowledge. Aristocrat - who is it? In any form of training, extensive knowledge is required from him:

• Mastering the teachings of the great Greek philosophers, knowledge of key movements, philosophical schools. In addition, an understanding of Judaism, Christianity, Islam and a basic understanding of Buddhist teachings. This is combined with knowledge of Satanism, paganism, the occult.
• Thorough knowledge of the native language, knowledge of spoken French, German, Italian and Spanish (this is at least), as well as Latin and a little Greek.
• Sufficient study of mathematics, basics of algebra and geometry.
• An absolute knowledge of the history of the ancient and medieval periods, the Renaissance and Enlightenment, the Victorian and modern eras and their characteristics.
• Knowledge of the literature of each historical period. Language is a more worthy carrier of culture than film.

Aristocrats must be trained in music, singing, playing a musical instrument, understand classical and other areas of music, including jazz and big band, have basic knowledge in the field of rock and roll.

Refined taste or snobbery

The word "snobbery" has always been associated with the upper class having good taste, which is an element of education. Good taste is often confused with snobbery. In fact, this word means "without nobility."

A real aristocrat - what is it? A representative of the upper class is primarily characterized by the fact that he, faced with the poor quality of an object of culture, food, drink, as well as with an unpleasant question or conversation, will never show his attitude and will not express his standards. What makes a person refined is the ability to set an example, to show patience and

aristocratic fashion

Fashion is the only strong form of non-verbal communication.

It is a means of showing respect for others. To be well dressed, you need to appreciate the society in which you live. Aristocrats know the importance of appearance in the world. Standards are their bread and butter, so they enforce them - that's what fashion is.

Today, the dress standards for men are the same as they were set in the 20th century. There are many styles so you can choose. An aristocrat is a person who will not abandon the canons of style so that he is not called eccentric. He knows how to dress for every occasion so that it is pleasant and appropriate, and this is combined with dignity and manners.

"Bad" aristocracy

In many countries, the idea of ​​an aristocracy did end up becoming unpopular. This was mainly because there was no fair way at all to choose worthy leaders or to make sure that the best people were in charge. Development is a kind of aristocracy only if the most capable leaders are chosen.

Theoretically, an aristocracy with unlimited power could work for a while. The only condition for this is that the elected had to act in the interests of the masses.

In practice, corruption often seeps into a system where the people have too much power without checks and balances, and this negates many of the potential advantages an aristocrat should have. What is an aristocracy? A relic of the past or the salvation of modern society? Everyone can decide this for themselves, based on facts, and not on speculation and prejudice.

Aristocracy is one of the forms of government in which the nobility holds power in their hands. It differs from the monarchical form and tyranny. Democracy also has a completely different concept.

The concept of the privileged class

This type of power was first discussed by the ancient idealist philosophers Plato and Aristotle. Representatives of the aristocracy were present in some ancient Greek cities and states. They were in Ancient Rome and Sparta.

This form of government is also characteristic of the republics of the Middle Ages that were in Europe. The opposite is democracy. The aristocracy, in contrast, does not assign sovereign power to all people or their majority. On the contrary, there is a community of those chosen according to the principle of blood. Aristocracy is the idea of ​​governing the state by the upper class of people, they were assigned the best talents and brilliant minds.

The main factor in the choice of rulers was how noble the origin of the applicants, and sometimes their valor as warriors was valued. Sometimes they relied on the level of development in mental terms.

Religion and morality were also taken as a measure. Another type that can be personified by the aristocracy is the oligarchy. In this case, the dominant positions are given to those who have the most property values. As a rule, one factor is not enough. It was believed that only a person worthy of ruling was really standing several steps above the average statistical stratum of society.

Ways of enrollment in the ranks of the aristocrats

In addition to the fact that the aristocracy is a state form, this term also denotes the highest class of society. You can get into it if you were born in the appropriate family and inherited a large fortune. The tribal upper stratum of society is precisely characterized by property that is much higher than the average indicators of an ordinary citizen.

The highest aristocracy is identified with special conditions or achievements, thanks to which a person falls into the ranks of the dominant representatives of his community. In ancient Rome, the elevation above the main mass could be tribal or land. These people reached high positions when it came to the feudal system in European society, which replaced ancient civilization. In the struggle against this system, the monarchy, representing the rule of one person, grew and strengthened.

The monetary aristocracy is precisely the institution of power that began to exist as a result of the French Revolution. Since then, all European states have been controlled by the richest citizens.

Destiny of the best

The aristocratic principle is that only the best people can have dominance. Several important factors emerged from this. Even non-republican states that were monarchies included elements of the aristocracy in their model of government. It could not be a direct possession of power in the country, but only individual manifestations.

This was facilitated everywhere by the state and legal powers of representative monarchies. In this case, the aristocracy is the upper ruling chambers, as well as the lower ones, which receive orders from above. The presence of organizations with representatives at different levels is typical. A single principle united these rungs of the ladder of power.

The aristocracy is everywhere

Even in a democracy there are some elements of inequality. The idea of ​​an extended aristocracy is applied. Since power is built differently in different types of society, the understanding of the forms of domination is very relative. We can only get acquainted with the various degrees of metamorphosis of any form of government.

All public, social, political and ecclesiastical unions that are formed in the state carry the principle of electivity of the aristocracy. The same can be attributed to the international level.

In Russia

The Russian aristocracy consisted of nobles, whose position was much higher than that of the common class. One of the first roles in the state fell on their shoulders. They had a lot of privileges, but they had to answer for their part for this service.

The nobleman was a man who put himself above those around him, who was a couple of steps ahead, but at the same time responsible, who felt his important role. He served the society of his native state, participated in hostilities, was completely selfless in relation to the state. The nobles took an oath and followed it. In addition to military service, they also had responsibility for the peasants living on their lands, as well as their own estate.

High moral code

The most important value was faithful service, it was encouraged by noble honor. This was embedded in their psychology at the level of ethics and morality. The nobleman had to listen and follow the orders of higher-ranking persons, not be greedy for affection, not beg for service, but also not shy away from his duties. The most important thing is honor and courage.

As we can see, the society of noble Russia created a portrait for its citizen, painted with the most beautiful tones of morality. After all, if not from the elite, then from whom else to take an example from other people?

How to become true nobles

The nobles were not brought up with the help of a certain pedagogical system or methodology, they did not impose rules. It can be called a way of life or a style of behavior, a conscious choice.

But to some extent, the nobles showed the best character traits by inertia, adopting the habits of their families and imitating relatives. Traditions were not discussed or changed, but simply observed as a given. From theoretical prescriptions, for sure, there would not have been such an effect as from the principles that were manifested in everyday life, acting in one way or another, communicating live. The norms of behavior were practically absorbed with mother's milk.

Model for the rest of society

The Russian nobleman had a range of character traits most characteristic of him. He must be independent and brave, show nobility and honor. It was believed that nature endowed Russian aristocrats with these qualities, although they can be enhanced or stifled by the environment.

The noble environment developed and improved. The qualities of a Russian citizen that I wanted to see in the environment prevailed. The nobles had a belief that the future would smooth out the unequal position between the strata in Russian society, that the culture of these people, starting with literary works, painting and exquisite treatment, would descend to the peasants and penetrate into their characters. Every person in society will soon be free and enlightened.

To create a quality society, it is necessary that only the highest ideals reign in each of its circles, and honesty, intelligence and good education are characteristic of people. It was through education that a striking and positive transformation of the population was to be achieved.

Bearing a duty to the Fatherland and being faithful to it meant the same thing for a nobleman as being honest with yourself and following your principles. Only those who respect themselves can respect others and vice versa. It was in such a sublime and persistent ideology that the top of Russian society was brought up.