Don't know if any of this is true but it's sort of interesting.
https://archive.org/stream/dynasticamericaa00kleirich#page/n3/mode/2up
Just based on anecdotal knowledge, the information presented seems to be reasonably accurate.
The novel thing about the essay seems to be the concept of dynasties.
Of note is how often the same names crop up between the dynasties.
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
tree68 Just based on anecdotal knowledge, the information presented seems to be reasonably accurate. The novel thing about the essay seems to be the concept of dynasties. Of note is how often the same names crop up between the dynasties.
Going back to the 'Days' and 'times' of the old Railroad 'Robber Barons'. The essay it sure seems to make the case, that dynastic growth in that level of Society was a product of a concentration of the accretion of [corprate ?] wealth; in the hands of a relatively, small number of [ intertwined ?] families. Almost to the point that it was somewhat incestuous?
NEW YORK CENTRAL Gloria Vanderbilts Grandaughter of Cornilus Vanderbilt Great Grand Son Anderson Cooper of CNN was told that there is no money left from the New York Central Empire.
One thing you can say for all those names in the American "dynasties," they were all self-made men. They got where they were by their own drive and intelligence, not through any title inherited from a long-dead ancestor.
But American dynasties come and go. I wonder just how many of those family names mentioned have the influence and power they had a century ago?
Yesteryear's 0.1%.
C&NW, CA&E, MILW, CGW and IC fan
Schlimm is bang on correct. I will add that we will always have the 0.1%, regardless of political system. One exception ..North Korea where you have a 0.001%.
North Korea's going to collapse under it's own dead weight, maybe sooner, maybe later, but it'll happen, trust me.
Either that or the Chinese will get fed up with them and put them right.
Firelock76But American dynasties come and go. I wonder just how many of those family names mentioned have the influence and power they had a century ago?
I tend to believe the decendents of those dynasties still control vast amounts of capital as well as political power in todays world - some of the names still ring familiar chords to our ears today, others through marriages and other decendancies have had their name changed but the power still remains.
In some cases they may even have more power today than they did a century ago.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
iDidn't see the publication date in the Original Post - but looking back at the source link provided by Mike/ wanswheel, it was copyrighted 1921.
Also, it was self-published. Some people think that orginated only with Amazon . . .
- Paul North.
schlimm Yesteryear's 0.1%.
Thanks to Chris / CopCarSS for my avatar.
I guess what Schlimm's trying to say is, of all those family names mentioned only one-tenth of one percent are still movers and shakers in todays society, if that many.
All the others are gone with the wind, their places taken by others, other names in other enterprises.
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