Question E

[Jonetta]

The English system of aristocracy and land entitlement did not include accountabilities amongst the peerage. How has it sustained itself under these circumstances?

[Anita]

The rules were made to ensure that the ruling class stayed the ruling class. They didn't take into account that some of these gentlemen were horrible at asset management. Eventually a smart man would inherit and set things to right and sustain the family for another generation or so.

[Robin]

I'm surprised that it sustained itself as long as it has. Over the years, many peers who had major debt had to cut back on expenses, including some of their staff. Many have opened up their homes to tours or to movie makers who need a huge house for their shows.

[Jonetta]

There’s something wrong with a system that offers little reward for hard work and contribution but much for those who haven’t earned it. It hasn’t managed well in the modern era the role of the aristocracy has been more evened out in political and economic realms.

[Karen ♐]

I agree. It's amazing that this all went on for as long as it did.

[Sharon]

Sadly it is still a working system today. From what I read, the aristocracy owns more than one-third of London and half of Scotland. When they sell their property, it is (I forget the legal jargon), but the owner never owns the land outright, so they are committed to paying land rent as long as they hold the house or business. The sale has a timestamp, so the land reverts back to the Duke, Barron, etc., after 35 or 40 years. Nice, that means an elderly person is homeless at the worst time.

Also, the aristocracy often pays less tax than the middle class. No surprise there because that happens in the US too. Loopholes benefit the wealthy.

I read an article (or maybe watched a documentary) that covered how little time the House of Lords members show up for work. It said they only show up when a referendum might impact their lifestyle. Otherwise, they rarely work on Mondays or Fridays, and the days they do work, it is for one hour, around 3 to 4. Tony Blair changed some of this, but only to a point.

It is an amazingly unfair system, especially in a democracy.

[Jonetta]

Sharon, words fail.

[Anita]

England is not a democracy. It is a feudal system with a few bones thrown to the peasants.