Rothschild's financial innovations significantly transformed Europe's social landscape by elevating government bonds to a position of immense influence. This shift allowed him to establish a new elite class, where wealth derived from financial resources replaced the traditional power of land ownership. The aristocracy that emerged was fundamentally different, relying on the volatile nature of money rather than the stability of tangible assets.

Despite the power he conferred upon this new aristocracy, the author, Niall Ferguson, warns that this financial foundation is inherently unstable. He emphasizes that money can be as unpredictable as weather patterns, highlighting the risks associated with a system that prioritizes liquidity over the solid grounding of land. The reliance on such unreliable sources of wealth raises questions about the durability and resilience of this newly formed elite.