Thewealthy and powerful advocated social decency out of self-interest (reasonablyfair societies are more stable) but also from an old-fashioned sense of civicduty. "Noblesse oblige"sounds bad until it doesn't exist anymore. Anenlightened ruling class understands that it can get richer and its riches willbe more secure if prosperity is broadly shared, if government is investing inproductive projects that lift the whole society.