There seems to be confusion on who belongs to the “elite”. The mix-up of different elites plays a part in this context. The three most important types are:
• An economic elite consisting of the one percent richest in a society.
• A political elite consisting of the government’s decision makers.
• A meritocratic elite consisting of the most skilled.
Please note that people can be skilled on many different things. Someone who is particularly skilled on something is not on something else. Which ones are a meritocratic elite for this reason varies by context.
I want to point out that rich individuals don’t have to possess political power. In the same way politicians are not necessarily rich. All rich and/or powerful are neither competent. To the opposite there are plenty of examples of idiots in such positions. They have ended up where they are for reasons without connection to relevant competence. Therefore one can’t take it for granted that such are particularly skilled.
It is also entirely possible to have a highly complex skill without being rich or powerful. One example are scientists which are ascribed a power they don’t have. Unlike what some believe they are not particularly well paid. The very most of them are competent at what they do. However, they are rarely decision-makers themselves. To the opposite it is a global problem that decision-makers refuse to listen to them.
A different group which power is overestimated consists of journalists. They are wrongfully assumed to be high-paid and decide how others should vote. That is connected to the belief of journalists being much fewer than they are. For each high-profile news anchor there are dozens of other people making his or her job possible. Individuals working for news media usually belong to the middle class. Their job is to figure out what is happening at the time. Then they try to describe it with conscious reflection. This does not necessarily mean demanding certain decisions. The belief it would do so is based on faulty thinking.
Worst is when membership of an elite is believed possible to define by opinions. Certain opinions are believed to only exist in members of the elite. This based on believing their realization would harm the rest of the population. Which is supposed to automagically lead to the elite benefiting from it. In part there seem to be a lack of connection between “we are harmed” and “they benefit”. In part I can’t see how the rest of the population are harmed. What harm is caused by certain minority groups getting equal rights? Or visible minorities even existing in a country? I have never gotten any explanation.
In addition such opinions occur in all social classes. Equal rights for minorities are something they themselves demand. To the opposite they oftentimes have lower social status. Then it can be misunderstood as if they would take over. Something they don’t have to do. Visible minorities don’t do it either just because they are there. Acceptance for their presence is about getting used to it. No elite status is needed for such an experience.
Then there is the myth that certain characteristics would only exist in an “elite”. The trouble is such characteristics are far too common for this. One example are homosexuals, bisexuals and transpeople. Together they are called LGBT people (from Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transpeople). Either such individuals are believed to only occur among people being rich and/or powerful. Or people are believed to become part of the “elite” just because they are LGBT. In reality LGBT people consist up to 14% of the population. They are found in all social classes, religions and ethnic groups. The only difference is about how visible such are. Being it is an inborn characteristic not having with elite status to do.
Myself I would not say that I belong to any kind of elite. Just because one is good at writing does not make one part of it. I have never held any position of political power. Neither am I rich either as some would take for granted. The sums I have on the bank are mostly caused by me not using them up. What are there of other things I personally own? Furniture, clothes, household items and some electrical appliances. Neither are they particularly expensive either. The oil paintings I have on my walls I have inherited from my grandmothers. Belongings being important to me are my sizeable collection of printed things. These I have collected since I was a kid.
Uploaded on the 12th of June 2026.
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This site was last changed on the 3rd of August 2026.