Nobility.
A list of the definitions of the root of this word, Noble, can be found at the following:3. of, belonging to, or constituting a hereditary class that has special social or political status in a country or state
4. of an exalted moral or mental character or excellence: a noble thought. Synonyms: lofty, elevated, high-minded, principled; magnanimous; honorable, estimable, worthy, meritorious. Antonyms: ignoble, base; vulgar, common.
8.famous; illustrious; renowned. Synonyms: famed, celebrated, acclaimed, distinguished. Antonyms: unknown, obscure, unremarkable.
9. inert; chemically inactive.
The very concept of nobility is opposed to democracy and equality. That is obvious in definition number 3. Modern democracies are supposed to be meritocracies where the only elite are those with superior skill or knowledge valuable to society. This elite is not one of quality but valued ability. Better at one thing, not everything.
Definition number 4 claims that by accident of birth, election, education, skill, accumulation of wealth, or control of essential resources (food, oil, currency, land, the government, churches, etc.) the normal individual human somehow acquires an essential quality that other cannot. They believe themselves somehow deserving of privilege and exceptions, based on quantitative and qualitative superiority. The synonyms show the story, the antonyms show the attitude. Nobility is held out as a virtue, the rest of us as unworthy and inferior. The association has robbed the word virtue of its meaning. This places them in the role of gods with the rest of us worshippers and servants, never to be equal. Disney agrees. But blood is only blue when it lacks oxygen.
Definition number 8 is telling today in this world of YouTube viral stupidity and endless Idol shows. Famous for being famous. Makes as much sense as the divine right of kings. Proof that no matter what you give the people, a certain percentage, likely low but with the size of our populations still a few million, some will swallow it wholeheartedly even if it's poison. Like, "The unknown are unworthy because they lack virtue". Never mind that you became known for a "leaked" sex tape.
Definition number 9 is my favourite, summing up what nobles really are - inert. We support them for the privilege of them letting us keep a trickle of the wealth our civilization produces. They pay little or no taxes. Few are genius inventors. Most inherited it from crooks or are crooks themselves. Given excess wealth, they gamble it on the financial markets rather than reinvesting in their own civilization. They are leeches not leaders, no matter if they call themselves aristocrats or just act like it. They do not run businesses, they rule corporate empires which devour businesses and slay nations. The free-market gives them the divine right.
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