Are titles such as Lord, Lady and Sir anything more than harmless ways of rewarding the contributions that individuals have made to the country?
Outstanding contributions that people make are rewarded in many ways. Public esteem, financial reward and historical acknowledgement are among them. Everyone can come to their own opinion about an individual’s worth and can change their mind. All such rewards can be lost. But titles are forever. Using them amounts to what one British writer has called “verbal bow.” They contribute to the stratification of our society, discouraging a healthy belief that we are all socially equal. Many honours are rewards to supporters of the government. Before 1925 a peerage, which comes with a seat in the legislature, could be bought for £100,000. A knighthood could be had for £10,000. Recently Richard Branson, the founder of the Virgin business group, reported that it had been hinted to him that he could have an honour in return for a donation to the Conservative Party. It is particularly outrageous that a seat in the legislature can be had in return for financial help to a political party. Isn’t the
Related Questions
- Are titles such as Lord, Lady and Sir anything more than harmless ways of rewarding the contributions that individuals have made to the country?
- Why do Prince and Princess Michael’s children have the titles of Lord and Lady and not Prince and Princess?
- What are the differences between a duke, lord, sir, earl, baron, baronet, and prince?
