Elitism

Elitism is a belief or attitude that an elite — a selected group of persons whose personal abilities, specialized training or other attributes place them at the top of any field (see below) — are the people whose views on a matter are to be taken most seriously, or who are alone fit to govern. Thus elitism sees an elite as occupying a special position of authority or privilege in a group, set apart from the majority of people who do not match up with their abilities or attributes. Thus this selected elite is treated with favouritism. Members of an inherited elite are aristocrats.

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For the converse of "elitism" see "anti-elitism" and "populism".

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Attributes that identify an elite vary; peronal achievement may not be essential. Attributes of elites include:

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• High level of political influence
• Membership in powerful cliques and desirable clubs
• High level of academic qualifications
• High level of experience in a given field (achieved status)
• High intelligence
• High natural abilities such as athletic abilities
• High creativity
• Good taste
• Claimed innate qualities, abilities, or other ascribed status.

Commonly, large amount of personal wealth, often assessed as the reward of elite qualities by those who are impressed by it, are insufficient on their own, as every nouveau riche can attest.

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The term elitism is also used to refer to situations where a group of people who claim to possess high abilities or simple an in-group or cadre conspire to give themselves extra privileges at the expense of all other people. This form of elitism may be described as discrimination.

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Less commonly, elitism may also refer to situations where an elite is given both special privileges and special responsibilities, in the hope that this arrangement will benefit all people.

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At times elitism is closely related to social class and stratification. People within a higher social class are usually known as the "social elite".

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Elitism: Anti-elitism ►



 

Elite: In sociology as in general usage, the ?lite (the "elect," from French) is a relatively small dominant group within a larger society, which enjoys a privileged status which is upheld by individuals of lower social status within the structure of a group. When applied to an individual, as in the phrase...

Privilege: A privilege—etymologically "private law" or law relating to a specific individual—is an honour, or permissive activity granted by another person or a government. A privilege is not a right and in some cases can be revoked. For example in most countries driving on publicly-maintained r...

Aristocrat: An aristocrat is a member of an aristocracy, a form of government in which a few of the most prominent citizens rule....