Hochkultur als Herrschaftselement

Researchers have long debated which role the aristocracy played in society, politics and the economy during the 19th century. Did the aristocracy succeed in staying at the top, or did it lose more and more ground to the emerging bourgeoisie? The collected essays in this volume show that the Italian and German aristocracy definitely succeeded in preserving its influence and in maintaining its prestige and positions primarily, but not exclusively, in the area of culture.