The Five Estates is a blog focusing on report and comment on current affairs and geopolitical issues.
The term 'Five Estates' originates from the Estates of the realm recognised in Medieval Europe. In the United Kingdom, the first three estates included the Lords Spiritual (High Priests), the Lords Temporal (Nobility), and the Commons (Land Owners). These three estates have been recognised to form the British Houses of Parliament.
The First Estate: Church of England Bishops - Lords Spiritual
The Second Estate: House of Lords - Lords Temporal
The Third Estate: House of Commons - Commons
It was not until the 19th Century that Edmund Burke coined the term 'The Fourth Estate' in reference to Professional Journalist and the Media.
However, we have now entered a new era in information sharing. The internet has given us unprecedented access to the rest of the world and along with it access to the Fifth Estate. Bloggers, Citizen Journalists, and other members of the Fifth Estate now have the ability to influence all those who log on to the internet as well as the four estates that proceed them.
Oh how we live in interesting times.
Blog posts will be on Fridays.
