I had occasion today to think of the concept of noblesse oblige … if you don’t know what that is then read this …
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noblesse_oblige
My very short précis is that noblesse oblige (literally “nobility obliges”) is the idea that those in positions of privilege and power should help those who are not. It’s a sort of quid pro quo along the lines of “you have privilege so perhaps (in return) you should help others who don’t” But it also goes beyond being a nice thing to do towards being an unstated responsibility.
Made me think about Bono and Gates and various others.
But if you read the wikipedia entry (url above) you’ll encounter this quote.
“Indeed you can usually tell when the concepts of democracy and citizenship are weakening. There is an increase in the role of charity and in the worship of volunteerism. These represent the élite citizen’s imitation of noblesse oblige; that is, of pretending to be aristocrats or oligarchs, as opposed to being citizens.” — John Ralston Saul
Wow! Now that’s interesting! Are we seeing a breakdown of democracy and citizenship?
By: Sauron - 18th November 2006 at 19:31
Before J.R. Saul’s wife was appointed Governor General of Canada, they were just living together. One can only imagine what suggestions/hints/ considerations may have resulted in the hasty marriage that followed. Could this have been a form of noblesse oblige on Saul’s part, voluntarism, charity or (gasp) hypocrisy?
Sauron
By: Mr Creosote - 17th November 2006 at 10:46
Put me down for a crate.
By: Moggy C - 16th November 2006 at 10:47
Whore shipping?
Do they load them into containers?
Moggy
By: Distiller - 16th November 2006 at 09:19
…
“Indeed you can usually tell when the concepts of democracy and citizenship are weakening. There is an increase in the role of charity and in the worship of volunteerism. These represent the élite citizen’s imitation of noblesse oblige; that is, of pretending to be aristocrats or oligarchs, as opposed to being citizens.” — John Ralston Saul
Wow! Now that’s interesting! Are we seeing a breakdown of democracy and citizenship?
By that definition communism should be the most democratic way to organize a commonwealth. The good man should better look for Jefferson and the idea of the Republic instead of whoreshipping Big State.
By: Moggy C - 15th November 2006 at 07:59
Saul is a deep thinker, with strong opinions. That doesn’t necessarily mean that he is right.
The original concept of noblesse oblige, dating back to the time when there were genuinely ‘nobles’ was a way to mitigate abuse of power and, as such, a valuable concept. How it holds good today ‘obscene wealth obliges’ is less certain.
I’d certainly have far more respect for ‘Sir’ Bob particularly, where he not quite so high up the Sunday Times ‘Rich List’ having given more of his own ‘******g money’ as he so delicately put it.
Certainly the formal structure of society in the developed world is far looser nowadays, this is not, in my opinion, either a bad thing, nor a presager of imminent collapse.
Moggy
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November 15, 2006 at 2:26 am