The social order of pre-Revolutionary France was composed of three states: the 1st state was made up of clergymen, the 2nd state included all the nobility, and the 3rd state was formed by the rest of the population of France, including the peasantry, the bourgeoisie, and the city workers. The experiences of the nobility and the bourgeoisie were very different during this period. The nobiity included around 1-2% of the population of the country. They were mostly exempt from taxes and for the most part, did not have a job. On the other hand, the bourgeoisie was a large percentage of the population, and carried a significant tax burden. This class was the most educated and wealthiest part of the 3rd State, and they resented the privileges of the nobles, in particular the tax exemptions. The conflict between these classes was a reason for the French Revolution.
Members of the French bourgeoisie and nobility were similar in some ways. Some members of the bourgeoisie may have earned incomes close to that of the wealthy nobles. Both held either privileged positions or respectable jobs. However, the bourgeoisie probably resented the nobility. The nobility paid almost no taxes, while the government taxed members of the bourgeoisie. The bourgeoisie may also have been angry about the special privileges the nobility and clergy received.
The rule of law is the legal principle that law should govern a nation, as opposed to being governed by decisions of individual government officials. It primarily refers to the influence and authority of law within society, particularly as a constraint upon behaviour, including behaviour of government officials.
