Elitism is a belief or attitude that certain individuals or groups possess superior qualities or attributes, and therefore deserve privileges, power, or authority over others. It is often associated with the idea of an “elite,” a select group of people who are considered to be superior to others in terms of intelligence, education, wealth, social status, or other attributes.
Elitism can take various forms, including economic elitism, intellectual elitism, cultural elitism, and political elitism. In each case, the underlying belief is that certain individuals or groups are more worthy of respect, admiration, and influence than others, and that their opinions and decisions should carry greater weight than those of others.
Economic elitism is perhaps the most common form of elitism, and is based on the idea that wealth is a sign of superior intelligence, talent, or effort. According to this view, those who are wealthy have earned their position through hard work and merit, and are therefore entitled to greater social status and political power than those who are not. Economic elitism can be seen in the way that wealthy individuals and corporations often wield disproportionate influence over political decision-making, as well as in the way that certain professions (such as law, medicine, and finance) are often considered to be more prestigious and valuable than others.
Intellectual elitism is based on the idea that those who possess advanced knowledge or expertise in a particular field are inherently superior to others. According to this view, people who are highly educated or who have specialized skills and knowledge are better equipped to make important decisions and lead society than those who do not. Intellectual elitism can be seen in the way that certain professions (such as academia and the arts) are often considered to be more prestigious and valuable than others, as well as in the way that people with certain educational backgrounds or intellectual interests are often given greater respect and influence than others.
Cultural elitism is based on the idea that certain forms of culture (such as high art, classical music, and literature) are inherently superior to others. According to this view, people who appreciate and participate in these forms of culture are more refined and sophisticated than those who do not, and are therefore more deserving of respect.