What does elitism mean?

Elitism refers to a belief that society should be led by the best few people who have excellent conditions such as talent, wealth, social status and educational background. The elites believe that these people have higher wisdom and ability, can better lead and manage society, and make society more prosperous and stable. Elitism is widely used in politics, economy, education, culture and other fields, and has always existed in various periods of human history.

One advantage of elitism is to emphasize the importance of personal ability and quality, encourage people to actively pursue education and professional training, and improve their own quality level. This is very beneficial to the development and progress of the whole society. In addition, elites can provide accurate and effective decisions and avoid losses and waste caused by social mistakes. In some cases, elites can also serve as mentors and role models of society and lead the society to develop in a more noble and prudent direction.

However, elitism also has some defects, such as social injustice and power concentration, which makes society more prone to polarization between the rich and the poor and class solidification. Because elitists often only pay attention to the interests of a few people, they may ignore the needs and voices of the majority, leading to social dissatisfaction and resistance. In addition, elitists are also prone to self-satisfaction and sense of superiority, which leads to the contempt and neglect of others by those in power.