printStripped of their property by the political class (at the behest of the masses), landed aristocracy is making a comeback to a desperate Europe, in the role private property has always encouraged: duty and custodianship, in contrast to pillage politics (which is what the political class does).
Noblesse oblige means to “act with honor, kindliness, generosity,” as the privileges of high birth dictates.
At Taki’s (via Lew Rockwell.com):
With the exception of Greece, which with Anglo-American help had avoided its sister countries’ red servitude, the populations of the formerly Marxist region welcomed back their former monarchs (or their heirs) with open arms—going so far as to reverse the theft of much of their former property. The Balkan royals began once again to play supporting roles in their homelands’ public life. Simeon II of Bulgaria was perhaps the most successful. Acting as the focus of a grassroots political movement, he was elected prime minister in 2001.
…So steeped have we become in the politics of envy that the government robbing a rich man—better still, an ex-reigning sovereign—will bring joy to many. This is why the decades-old reduction of Britain’s landed aristocracy from a political force to a band of desperate folk trying (and often failing) to hold onto what is left of their inheritance begets either a smile or a yawn. If Simeon is to continue to play a useful role in his country’s life, he will need to seek justice—paradoxically enough—from the European Court of Human Rights. It is ironic that this is happening under Boyko Borisov’s scandal-ridden prime ministry. The contrast between monarch and politico could not be starker. …
This brings back memories. I had hoped, back in 2001, that Simeon’s triumph in Bulgarian elections might pave the way to restored constitutional monarchies.
Alas, it didn’t happen. Borisov is a thug (but Washington’s thug, so you don’t hear about his thuggery). As for Serbia’s Aleksandar, he is an English bankster, fully on board with “European integrations” and the succession of quisling governments that have nearly wrecked the country and driven the people insane. His great-grandfather, whose armies liberated Kosovo a century ago, is probably spinning in his grave.
To have true Noblesse Oblige you’ve got to start with Noblesse. There just aint much of that commodity around these days.
I have heard it said that history repeats itself in some areas like politics. Some form of democracy falls, is replaced by aristocracy, followed by democracy in a circle. It makes sense. Aristocracy creates a free market because the power is held in resources and trade is the means of converting one resource to many. This gives rise to a middle class that wants power over the resources. Democracy develops, flourishes for a little while and dies because it is inept. The ones with the resources regain power and it starts all over again. The way the world is going it won’t be long before the new aristocratic forces become evident. Hopefully, the ones we will get are not named, Gates, Buffet or Bush.
I completely agree with Nebojsa. Borisov is probably one of the most thuggish heads of government in Europe. Alas, such ‘right wing populists’ who seem to be obsessed with regulating and taxing economies till kingdom come are almost the norm in the Balkans and Eastern Europe (compare with Viktor Orbán in Hungary or Nikola Gruevski in the old country).
Woodrow Wilson had my granduncle Julian fight against my granduncle Julius to help “liberate” Central Europe from the Evil Hapsburgs and make it “safe for democracy” and “ethnic self-determination” (e.g. Hitler!).
The late Otto Von Hapsburg was a Misesian gentleman and a voice of reason while the Continent was going insane.
Ilana, I am from Serbia and I can only second what Nebojsa Malic says. If Aleksandar is, God forbid, restored to the throne I am going to emigrate.
PS I seriously doubt the veracity of the Serbian poll listed in the article. The paper who conducted it is a mouthpiece for EU/NATO.