4 ms·

Class-based social structures are deeply rooted in the Anglo-Saxon culture. In early modern times (1500-1700), it was a rigid system where each class was define

Class-based social structures are deeply rooted in the Anglo-Saxon culture. In early modern times (1500-1700), it was a rigid system where each class was defined by a typical occupation and a level of political influence. Social stratification exists in all cultures, but the notion that class defines your occupation, social circles, cultural manners is a very "Anglophile" thing.

dalbasal 6y ago
As an irishman, I am deeply offended :) The British class system is undoubtedly rooted in English history, and I'm sure there are plenty of deeper roots too. That class system was/is obviously deeply impactful here. That's why nationalism, republicanism are so intertwined with anti-classism in our modern politics. But in some sense, roots are arbitrary . The cultural memes and tendencies it manifests aren't the important part. Cultures, power structures and everything else aren't uniquely english, I'm loathe to admit ;) Occupation, social circles & cultural memes are pretty central to class equivalent parts of modern culture. FWIW, the early modern period isn't generally considered anglo-saxon, at least politically or linguistically. It does does have an ethnonym connotation in all post anglos saxon periods, including the present.
BlueTemplar 6y ago
I've heard that the Anglo-Saxons (British) actually made the current caste system in India. Anyone has more information about this ?
- haihaibye 6y ago
  DNA evidence show "these groups have stayed genetically separate while living side by side for thousands of years" https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/17/health/india-south-asia-castes-genetics-diseases.html?smid=tw-share https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/17/health/india-south-asia-c...
- barry-cotter 6y ago
  Complete bollocks. The genetic evidence is that most jatis (the ethnic groups that are constitutive of the broader caste groups) have been endogamous for over a 1,000 years. It’s completely normal in India for people from the same village to be as genetically distant from each other as a Sardinian and a Swede.

dalbasal 6y ago

As an irishman, I am deeply offended :) The British class system is undoubtedly rooted in English history, and I'm sure there are plenty of deeper roots too. That class system was/is obviously deeply impactful here. That's why nationalism, republicanism are so intertwined with anti-classism in our modern politics. But in some sense, roots are arbitrary . The cultural memes and tendencies it manifests aren't the important part. Cultures, power structures and everything else aren't uniquely english, I'm loathe to admit ;) Occupation, social circles & cultural memes are pretty central to class equivalent parts of modern culture. FWIW, the early modern period isn't generally considered anglo-saxon, at least politically or linguistically. It does does have an ethnonym connotation in all post anglos saxon periods, including the present.

BlueTemplar 6y ago

I've heard that the Anglo-Saxons (British) actually made the current caste system in India. Anyone has more information about this ?

haihaibye 6y ago
DNA evidence show "these groups have stayed genetically separate while living side by side for thousands of years" https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/17/health/india-south-asia-castes-genetics-diseases.html?smid=tw-share https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/17/health/india-south-asia-c...
barry-cotter 6y ago
Complete bollocks. The genetic evidence is that most jatis (the ethnic groups that are constitutive of the broader caste groups) have been endogamous for over a 1,000 years. It’s completely normal in India for people from the same village to be as genetically distant from each other as a Sardinian and a Swede.