| |
|
I think most countries have some sort of honours system, but often they are the equivalent of the British honours list - the various ranks and orders such as the KCB (Knight Companion of the Bath), MBE, OBE, Order of the Garter; and then there are the military medals (Victoria Cross, etc). I think this site might be some help here. The fact that some of these distinctions confer the honorific 'Sir' or 'Dame' on the bearer is a hangover from yer actual chivalric knighthood, and I don't know whether that holds true elsewhere.
Where the British system does differ is in the conferring of life peerages as a means of distinction - which also gives the bearer the right to sit in the House of Lords. I can't think of another western country where a distinction of this kind, conferred by the head of state with the advice of the leader of the administration, carries the right to sit in a chamber of government - how obviously is that system open to abuse? Grrr. It's also more than a little bizarre given that hereditary peerages are no longer being created.
Obviously there are plenty of families of noble descent around in Europe, but I can't think of another country where they are so entrenched in the actual government.
Hope that's some help at any rate. |
|
|
