ABSTRACT
This chapter suggests that there is generally little, if any, class conflict in traditional aristocratic empires and that the source of politics must therefore be found elsewhere. Although the stakes in intraaristocratic conflicts have now been listed separately as opportunities to gain wealth, power, and prestige, to serve and do one's duty, to maintain one's honor and gain glory, they are in practice and in the aristocrat's mind closely interrelated. Aristocrats insist on constantly being reminded of their rank not only by having themselves addressed in peculiar forms appropriate to that rank, but by obeisance to be paid to them in accordance with their rank. The degree of decentralization and hence the independence of the lower aristocracy from the higher one varies among aristocratic empires. The distinction between aristocrats illegitimately enriching themselves and legitimately raising revenue for the government depends on a distinction between the aristocracy and the government, which is nonsensical when applied to traditional aristocratic empires.
