Pre-1914 European bourgeoisie adapted to rather than challenged aristocratic rule

Evidence

Agriculture remained the principal sector of the European economy, underpinning the political dominance of the aristocracy and more generally of the landed classes across the continent — a state of affairs reflected in the monarchical character of every major state except France. The bourgeoisie, politically subordinate, adapted itself to the anciens régimes: instead of seeking to overthrow the old monarchies, rising industrial and financial magnates took on the colour of their surroundings, seeking to ape the lifestyle and buy into the landed estates of their aristocratic betters. No wonder, then, that the education system, especially in its emphasis on the Greek and Latin classics, still transmitted the values of Europe’s agrarian notables, and that ‘[i]n form, content and style the artefacts of high culture continued to be anchored and swathed in conventions that relayed and celebrated traditions supportive of the old order.’ — Alex Callinicos, Against Postmodernism, 183

Categorization

• XREF: Mayer’s persistence-of-ancien-régime thesis connects to Callinicos’s broader critique mode here and to Anderson’s work on English a supine bourgeoisie.