A New Twist on Honours: Selling Them Back to the People
In a surprise move, an individual recently received an email offering to assist in upgrading their CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) – an honour awarded nearly two decades ago. The proposal suggests that those who have held such distinctions for a while might be entitled to a higher recognition, and the sender is willing to help navigate the process.
This idea may seem unusual, but it's not entirely new. As suggested by Stephen Bates in a recent article, the concept of selling honours has been around for a long time. The question now is whether this practice could be adapted to benefit society as a whole.
One possible approach proposed by Dr Orest Mulka, who shared his idea with the publication, involves making the sale of higher honours more equitable. He suggests that selling an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) for 1% of one's wealth and a knighthood for 10%. The revenue generated from these sales could be directed towards supporting the NHS (the National Health Service) and helping those in need.
The benefits of this idea are multifaceted. Firstly, it provides an alternative source of funding for public services that have been underfunded. Secondly, it offers a chance for ordinary people to interact with the royal family, which could help build bridges between different social classes. Finally, it encourages individuals to reflect on their values and contributions, potentially leading to greater sense of purpose.
While this idea may raise some eyebrows, it's an intriguing proposition that warrants further consideration. As the need for public funding becomes increasingly pressing, innovative solutions like selling honours back to the people might just be the key to unlocking a more equitable society.
In a surprise move, an individual recently received an email offering to assist in upgrading their CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) – an honour awarded nearly two decades ago. The proposal suggests that those who have held such distinctions for a while might be entitled to a higher recognition, and the sender is willing to help navigate the process.
This idea may seem unusual, but it's not entirely new. As suggested by Stephen Bates in a recent article, the concept of selling honours has been around for a long time. The question now is whether this practice could be adapted to benefit society as a whole.
One possible approach proposed by Dr Orest Mulka, who shared his idea with the publication, involves making the sale of higher honours more equitable. He suggests that selling an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) for 1% of one's wealth and a knighthood for 10%. The revenue generated from these sales could be directed towards supporting the NHS (the National Health Service) and helping those in need.
The benefits of this idea are multifaceted. Firstly, it provides an alternative source of funding for public services that have been underfunded. Secondly, it offers a chance for ordinary people to interact with the royal family, which could help build bridges between different social classes. Finally, it encourages individuals to reflect on their values and contributions, potentially leading to greater sense of purpose.
While this idea may raise some eyebrows, it's an intriguing proposition that warrants further consideration. As the need for public funding becomes increasingly pressing, innovative solutions like selling honours back to the people might just be the key to unlocking a more equitable society.