I don’t use aristocracy and nobility as synonyms.
Noble families are members of the natural aristocracy. Nobility is a designation for families who have demonstrated excellence in contribution to the commons.
You cannot affect nobility.
One can however join the natural aristocracy meaning meritocratic ruling class by military achievement and affectation of character.
And at least in practice as long as you can manage to be an officer and a gentleman then you can do so as long as your genetic class permits.
Because as a soldier in the service if aristocracy you are due equal deference and respect.
This is one of western mans perks for service. The ability to exercise violence in the construction of private and commons in exchange for respect and status regardless of his parenthood.
A man who pays his way through service may demand respect due aristocracy even if affectation, under pain of violence – he need not ask for it.
I have a tepid reaction to commercial pretense of nobility unless it is matched by at least administrative service. But we should never discount the value of nobility to all of us whether martial, intellectual, or commercial. It is extremely difficult to manage good breeding and to cast off your failure over the generations.
It is through this combination of martial, judicial, civic, and familial virtue that we keep lesser peoples at bay, domesticate them, and raise our generations to transcendence.
Source date (UTC): 2016-08-04 11:31:00 UTC