Buddhuu makes a good point. Also, the Honours system props up the Establishment; by accepting 'sweets' the recipients lick the hand that feeds them and less likely to oppose 'those' above them. The Sirs look down on the CBEs and the CBEs look down on the MBEs and all look up to the Lords and Ladies and eventually to the Monarchy. This country and its people will only grow up when the Honours system and with it the unelected House of Lords and the Monarchy, are discarded like old musty clothes.