What creates an aristocracy?

Answer 1

By definition, aristocracy already has power. Therefore the question must be "How do aristocracies originate?"

Generally and historically speaking, aristocracies are created through the use of force or the threat of using force against weaker members of a society. By these methods wealth is created by the aggressors by either demanding payments from the weakest members, or by warring with weaker peoples and stealing their land and precious metals like gold.

Land ownership is key to making aristocracies. The land is cultivated, farm products sold, and wealth is created.

With weaker people subdued, and the stronger people now wealthy, the goal becomes on how to keep the wealth or expand it.

With the wealth acquired, a government is usually created by these wealthy aristocrats and with the power of government, the aristocracies pass laws that inhibit other people from joining the wealthy class unless it is to the benefit of them to include new members.

The wealth is passed down from generation to generation and the "class" of aristocrats become a mainstay of a society.

In summary, by power wealth is created and with power it is maintained and done so with the threat of power.