Aristocracy rewards birth and genetics over talent and hard work, and few countries still use this system today because of the limitations and restrictions that it involves. The nobility is not highly regarded because of anything that they have accomplished or any contribution that they have made, only because of who their parents and ancestors are. In a democracy each person is judged on what they do and not who they are, and every man or woman has an opportunity to move up the social ladder of success. This is not true with the aristocracy, and those born to a lower status and class must be content with their lot in life without ever expecting to rise above their station or succeed beyond a specific set point. The system of aristocracy places enormous weight on lineage and what are often considered useless titles, and most countries today do not rely entirely on this type of ruling class system.