Why would aristocrats be against a democracy (during the 1800s)?

Answer 1

Aristocrats were a minority ruling class and democracy granted the people the power to govern themselves instead of being governed by kings, emperors, etc.

Answer 2

The aristocrats (these are noblemen, counts, dukes, kings) were on the run since 1789. That was the year of the French Revolution, which ended in the chopping off of the heads of the king and queen of France, and of the chopping off also of the heads of the aristocrats, or of any one thought to be an aristocrat by the Committee of Public Safety. After that, in the 1800's, aristocrats were nervous about democracy.

Answer 3

Aristocrat :The Ancient Greek term aristocracy originally meant a system of government with "rule by the best".
from: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aristocrat

Democracy: Democracy (literally "rule by the people", from the Greek δημοκρατία-demokratia demos, "people," and kratos, "rule") is a form of government by the will of the people.
from: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democracy

Aristocrats would be against democracy because it opens the "rule" to all people in general rather than being kept among the wealthy/privileged class. By losing the power to control government, laws could be enacted to benefit everyone, not only a small, elite group of people.

Answer 4

In an uneducated world, democracy and mob rule can be almost synonymous. Until that time economic and social systems were not developed enough to allow democracy in Europe to function well, and such huge shifts are never simple. There isn't a day when everybody wakes up and says, "Today's the day we're ready for democracy." And of course the aristocracy had a personal stake as well.

Answer 5

It would only be natural for them to oppose democracy. A democracy would demand that they they give up traditional power and status so that everyone could participate equally in government.

Answer 6

Aristocrats already had the power, and didn't want that diluted by sharing it with everybody.