Why Don't Old Banking Families Like the Medici and Rothschilds Seem to Hold Influence Today?
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CuriousMind42
I've been pondering how families like the Rothschilds and Medici, known for their historical wealth and banking prowess, seem to lack significant financial influence in today's world. They say the Rothschild wealth got diluted as the family grew; however, if they had such substantial assets and made conservative investments over the years, shouldn't their wealth have multiplied considerably? Just look at the growth of the S&P 500 since it started. Is it possible that the Medici family might still have significant wealth that rivals modern investment giants like BlackRock?
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There’s also a theory that these banking families adapted differently to modern finance compared to American titans like the Morgans and Rockefellers. They might still have their money, but their way of operating has changed. The European banking families may have become too conservative in the face of more aggressive American entrepreneurs.
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Exactly! People often forget that the wealth these families have isn't always visible. They could be invested in private companies and other assets that don’t require public disclosure. Plus, don’t forget that royal families and nobility aren’t included in these wealth assessments, and both the Rothschilds and Medici fit into those categories.
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Honestly, the idea that these families don’t have power today is a bit far-fetched. Just because they’re not in the spotlight doesn’t mean they’re not wealthy. Just look at how the Rockefellers were considered ‘upstarts’ by the older families, yet they’ve controlled vast resources. The dynamics of wealth just shift over time.
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You know, a lot of the info out there, like what you might see on the Forbes list, doesn’t tell the whole story. It only includes publicly disclosed shares. Someone could have a 4% stake in every major company and you'd never know! Old money tends to stay low-key and not show up on lists, unlike newer wealth.
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It's intriguing how these wealthy banking families often appear to hold less visible power today. Many believe that while they may not flaunt their wealth, it doesn't mean they don't have it. In fact, these families have historically influenced monetary policies globally, and they may still have substantial assets strategically placed to hide their true wealth.
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