I agree with most of what you say Tobus, but the class of gentleman who were landowners in early modern Europe (even allowing that some f their number may have been supercilious and arrogant) by and large had a sense of duty and obligation to the common weal or the general good of their society as well as a particular obligation to their tenants and/or economic and social dependents.
One would like to think so, but the sad fact of the matter is that their actions often ran counter to this. One needn't look much further than the Highland Clearances for examples. But then again, I'm sure there's an argument to be made that the clearances actually were in the best interest of the greater good (economically, at least). It's a subject I am fascinated by in my reading, though I admit that valid points are made on both sides.