24. On the Sale of Nobility Titles:Honor for the Wealthy, Welfare for the Citizens

Emperor Wen of Han was the most successful emperor in selling titles. It was precisely through this practice that he became the only ruler in world history to grant tax exemptions to all citizens for over a decade. Those years undoubtedly represented the most prosperous era for ordinary people in Chinese history. Viewed from the perspective of commoners, Emperor Wen of Han is unquestionably the most deserving of the title "the greatest emperor of all time." This demonstrates that selling titles benefits government revenue and enhances public welfare.

A noble rank is a title conferred by a monarch upon subjects, often carrying corresponding privileges. Democratic nations lack monarchs and do not permit citizens to enjoy privileges, hence democracy and noble ranks are deemed incompatible—a prevailing line of reasoning. If noble ranks and privileges are inseparable, this logic holds; if they can be separated, it may not. Although titles represented privileges in monarchical eras, they were not inherently tied to privilege. Titles could also function as honorary designations or expressions of social recognition. Whether a title corresponds to privilege depends entirely on legal definition. If law stipulates a title as purely honorary without attaching any privilege, then the title can be completely separated from privilege. Thus, there is no inherent connection between titles and privilege. Thus, viewed solely as a title of honor and social recognition, democratic nations could readily implement a peerage system. Citizens in democracies also yearn for honor and widespread societal affirmation.

A peerage system not only fulfills citizens' desire for social distinction but also reduces wealth disparities, increases state revenue, and lowers citizens' tax burdens. For democratic nations, establishing a peerage system devoid of privileges offers benefits without drawbacks.

Let us illustrate how to establish a peerage system using China as an example.

I. Establishment of Peerages

The state establishes peerages such as Duke, Marquis, and Count. For further subdivision, these may be categorized as:

- First-Class Duke, Second-Class Duke, Third-Class Duke

- First-Class Marquis, Second-Class Marquis, Third-Class Marquis

- First-Class Count, Second-Class Count, Third-Class Count

Provinces, cities, and counties may establish corresponding ranks by analogy.

II. Conditions for Granting Peerages

Two fundamental requirements: no criminal record and meeting statutory donation thresholds. Specific donation amounts vary by rank. For instance, donating 100 billion yuan grants First-Class Duke; 80 billion grants Second-Class Duke; 60 billion grants Third-Class Duke. Other ranks follow this pattern. Donation amounts may be adjusted based on national economic conditions.

III. Benefits of Titles

Titles conferred by the state confer no privileges and are non-hereditary. However, when citizen benefits vary by rank, titled citizens receive enhanced welfare provisions. Additionally, titled citizens enjoy various honorary privileges. For instance, citizens holding titles shall be invited to participate in national events such as festivals, celebrations, and commemorative days. More significantly, all citizens granted national titles shall be recorded in the national history. The Department of National History shall compile their biographies, ensuring their names live on in history for all time.

Regarding the establishment of titles at the provincial, municipal, and county levels, the above framework may serve as a reference.

This system of titles serves multiple purposes: it increases fiscal revenue, reduces the tax burden on citizens, grants honor to the wealthy, and provides welfare benefits to the populace. This aligns perfectly with the principle of redistributing resources from the affluent to the less fortunate. All democratic nations should vigorously implement this social system of selling titles.