The worst part about having a corrupt government is seeing how cheaply they were bought. Congress makes decisions that shift trillions of dollars, and they're willing to put their thumbs on the scale for what, a few million? Add up the net worth of every shady politician in Washington - would we be better off just bribing these people directly from the treasury on behalf of the nation?
There were some obvious mistakes made, such as Charles II, but I doubt aristocrats with experience managing livestock were unable to effectively manage their own genetic heritage through arranged marriages.
The aristocracy are always morons. Remember that for hundreds of years they were fucking inbred too.
No need to be smart when a bunch of malicious assholes are willing to legitimize your rule through violence for a few crumbs.
These people would literally be nothing without a throng of compliant servants, but that tribal mentality to follow a chief runs strong.
The worst part about having a corrupt government is seeing how cheaply they were bought. Congress makes decisions that shift trillions of dollars, and they're willing to put their thumbs on the scale for what, a few million? Add up the net worth of every shady politician in Washington - would we be better off just bribing these people directly from the treasury on behalf of the nation?
There were some obvious mistakes made, such as Charles II, but I doubt aristocrats with experience managing livestock were unable to effectively manage their own genetic heritage through arranged marriages.
The level of inbreeding in the aristocracy tells me otherwise.