FIRST ESTATE: In past centuries, this included the religious leaders and clergy. In modern times, I like to use it in reference to politicians and government leaders who can exert a great deal of control over resources through the coercive powers of government. One historical function of the first estate is to protect the less powerful consumers, taxpayers, and workers of the third estate from the market control typically held by the business leaders of the second estate. It is not uncommon, however, for an unhealthy degree of cooperation between the first and second estates, which often ends up with the enslavement of the third estate (figuratively and literally). At times help is forthcoming from the watchdog journalist of the fourth estate--unless they too have been overtaken by the ruling elite.

     See also | government | public sector | government sector | second estate | third estate | fourth estate | government functions | market failure | consumers | market control |

FIRST ESTATE, AmosWEB GLOSS*arama, http://www.AmosWEB.com, AmosWEB LLC, 2000-2024. [Accessed: April 18, 2024].

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Four economic statistics that tend to move up or down along WITH business-cycle expansions and contractions. Most importantly, these measures indicate peak and trough turning points when they actually occur. Coincident economic indicators are one of three groups of economic measures used to track business-cycle activity. The other two are leading economic indicators and lagging economic indicators.

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Today, you are likely to spend a great deal of time at an auction hoping to buy either throw pillows for your living room sofa or a hepa filter for your furnace. Be on the lookout for pencil sharpeners with an attitude.
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