How today’s wealthy present themselves differently
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When I heard that the actor Maggie Smith had died, on September 27th, an image from a television programme popped into my head. There was the Dowager Countess of Grantham in “Downton Abbey”, leaning on a cane as she flayed some upstart with a few words. Her poshness and refusal to move with the times was her appeal. Like many British people, I am obsessed with social class and with the elite; I also feel pleased that dowager countesses are no more. So I was delighted to read a book about how the British elite has changed .
“Born to Rule”, by the sociologists Aaron Reeves and Sam Friedman, is superb. In clear English (other academics, please take note) it describes how the horse- and hunting-obsessed elite of the late 19th century gave way to the hard-working elite of today. Britain’s elite is becoming more like China’s , maintaining its position through education rather than country piles. But I couldn’t help wondering: has it become less fun?
Joel Budd, Social-affairs editor
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Many of them make an effort to remain off lists that call attention to their wealth. A very prominent few seek validation by being on the same lists.
OK Bo?tjan Dolin?ek
Sr health & ins brokerage executive having served as regional CEO, National practice leader and client consultant. Writer, pundit and expert on solutions to optimize healthcare management for employers
1 个月In a society where the wealth gap and income inequity leads to angry populism, the intelligent wealthy tend to fly very low beneath the radar. They are shadows and influencers but understand that throwing a grand constume ball while the common man struggles is bad for business. Just ask the Tsar or The Sun King Louis how that worked out. Only those who have no common sense or suffer from megalomania eschew being diminutive and instead seek the attention and prestige of being seen as wealthy. In times like this, the wealthy prefer to be heard but not seen.