Figure 1.--Here we see an English mother with her two children and nanny, we think in the late-1900s decade. Thery are in what looks to be a considerable back garden, suggestinh a well-to-do family. At the time, affluent children still dressed differently than working-class children. The baby has a huge bonnet. The boy has aide-bimmed hat anbd wears a tunic suit and lace ciollar.

We commonly see comments like "The British are obsessed with class." None other than novelist and social commenter George Orwell tells us, "Britain is the most class-ridden society under the sun." We are not sure that is the case of every other countries, but there is no denying that it is important. Often ignored is the importance of class in other countries. Class structures around the world were commonly tied up with land ownership--the primary source of land since the advent of civilization in Sumeria. Which generally involved a small land-owning class and a large landless peasant class. This continued to be the case in modern times until the 19th century and the Industrial Revolution. This situation was not limited to Europe, but included most of Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. Importantly, this was not a colonial importation, but the result of long established historical and cultural development. For millennia a rather closed system in which occupation, social status, and political influence involved hereditary transfer. There were a few countries that were different. France benefited from the Revolution (1789) in which the French peasantry obtained ownership of their land. America benefited from the frontier in which even very poor people, including immigrants, could obtain land. An important factor in England was primogeniture, the transmission of wealth (especially land) to the oldest son. England had a different trajectory than continental Europe. This began with Magna Carta, beginning the move away from royal absolutism (1215). Absolutism fir the mst psart meant the more rigid class structure. This began the rise of parliament fueled by other important developments. Henry VIII's dissolution of the monasteries which owned huge swaths of agricultural land (1536-41). This provided land to the lesser gentry. Parliament was a mans for the lesser gentry to make their interest felt. Other important developments were the Protestant Reformation (1532-34), the English Civil War (1642-51), the Glorious Reformation (1688-89), and the rise of capitalism (late-17th century). Finally the Industrial Revolution began to create wealth on an epic scale (mid-18th century). This was far beyond the capacity of agriculture to create wealth. As a result two classes in the rapidly expanding cities, the bourgeoisie is (working class) and the industrial proletariat (working class). For the first time wealth being generated was outside the great lords and their extensive estates. Interestingly, the industrial entrepreneurs bought county estates--as a matter of status. With industrialization, a basically closed class system began to open up. Other factors than birth, intelligence, abilities, drive, and education became increasingly important. The landed gentry, however, still had clout. They for some time opposed grain imports to feed the industrial profiterole an public (state-financed) education. The gentry understood that with education, the landless peasantry would migrate to better paid jobs in the cities. Given the increasing power of the middle class, this changed during the reform-minded Victorian Era. Important steps were the Corn Laws (1846) and Education Act (1870). These changes were led by the Liberal Party in the late 19t century. Often unnoticed is that the wealth created by capitalism made higher incomes for the working-class possible as well as financing public health and education. World War I and II had a huge impact on Britain. Also rarely noted is that it was not just the working-class that played a huge role, but the upper-classes, especially the great landed families did also. They took their responsibilities seriously and the sons of the landed gentry also died in great numbers. The wars resulted in important reforms and social leveling such as the National Health Service, expanded access to education, and home ownership. The reforms took on a socialist taint with the rise of the Labour Party. This resulted in economic decline. Before World War II, Britain was the most affluent country in Europe. Even though, Britain helped win the war. After the war, counties like France, Germany, and Italy surpassed Britain in affluence. Yjis had social class implications. In affluent countriues, like the Unityed states, the otking-class basically join the middle class. Britain's economic dedcline was was not reversed until Margaret Thatcher's premiership (1980s). Today Britain is a largely classless society, at least in historical terms. The Labour Party showing its Marxist roots continues to focus on what it perceives as class issues, as in America, increasingly turning to race and ethnicity in Britain's more diverse electorate. Other factors affecting class distinctions have been the shift from an industrial to a service economy, immigration, and the changing role of women. Social class continues to be subject of academic inquiry and popular discussion.

Created: 12:48 AM 7/9/2022
Last updated: 12:48 AM 7/9/2022