Elitism is the notion that individuals who form anelite—a select group with desirable qualities such asintellect,wealth,power, fame,physical attractiveness, notability, specialskills,experience,lineage—are more likely to be constructive to society and deserve greater influence or authority.[1] The termelitism may be used to describe a situation in which power is concentrated in the hands of a limited number of people. Beliefs that are in opposition to elitism includeegalitarianism,anti-intellectualism (against powerful institutions perceived to be controlled by elites),populism, and thepolitical theory ofpluralism.
Elite theory is the sociological or political science analysis of elite influence in society: elite theorists regardpluralism as autopian ideal. Elitism is closely related tosocial class and whatsociologists term "social stratification". In modernWestern societies, social stratification is typically defined in terms of three distinctsocial classes: theupper class, themiddle class, and thelower class.[2]
Somesynonyms for "elite" might be "upper-class" or "aristocratic", indicating that the individual in question has a relatively large degree of control over a society'smeans of production. This includes those who gain this position due to socioeconomic means and not personal achievement.[citation needed]
Attributes that identify an elite vary; personal achievement may not be essential. Elite statuscan be based on personal achievement, such as degrees from top-rate universities or impressive internships and job offers, as well as on lineage or passed-on fame from parents or grandparents.[citation needed]
As a term, "elite" usually describes a person or group of people who are members of the uppermost class of society, and wealth can contribute to that class determination. Personal attributes commonly purported by elitist theorists to be characteristic of the elite include: rigorous study of, or great accomplishment within, a particular field; a long track record of competence in a demanding field; an extensive history of dedication and effort in service to a specific discipline (e.g., medicine or law) or a high degree of accomplishment, training orwisdom within a given field; a high degree of physicaldiscipline.[citation needed]
Elitists tend to favor social systems such astechnocracy, combined withmeritocracy and/orplutocracy, as opposed to politicalegalitarianism andpopulism. Elitists believe only a few "movers and shakers" truly change society, rather than the majority of people who only vote and elect the elites into power.[3]
Authority control databases: National |
|---|
