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, 2000-2026. [Accessed: September 14, 2026].

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Having simultaneous legal "title" to a resource, good, or commodity and the ability to determine how the resource, good, or commodity is used. Ownership means that having legal title. Control means having the ability to determine use.

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