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Small-Scale Question Sunday for December 8, 2024

Do you have a dumb question that you're kind of embarrassed to ask in the main thread? Is there something you're just not sure about?

This is your opportunity to ask questions. No question too simple or too silly.

Culture war topics are accepted, and proposals for a better intro post are appreciated.

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Who do you have in mind?

In America, we’ve got elites from elite families who do some service. See W or Ted Kennedy. They’re on the elite ladder regardless.

I don’t think they dominate the careerist military, like the CSA or CMC, because there are a lot more proles. Nobodies from random Southern or Midwestern families would probably be classed as low-level gentry even as they reach the peak of military careers.

But there’s definitely an intersection with people like McCain. For all I know JFK might have continued to rank up if not for the medical discharge. Regardless, these officers are elites.

Frankly, I think the whole “gentry” ladder is the weakest part of the model, and is mostly an excuse to loathe blue-tribe cultural figures. So I wouldn’t take that part too seriously. You’ve got elites who may or may not take their military careers to a peak. And you’ve got a lot more proles who fill out most of the technocratic slots at the top. The former can transition to civilian political power, while the latter cannot. That’s more important than the specific ladders.