Elite 2222376 224818964 2008-07-10T15:38:51Z 192.193.216.216 /* Business elite */ {{Refimprove|date=August 2007}} {{otheruses}} {{wiktionarypar2|elite|élite}} '''Elite''' (also spelled '''Élite''') is taken originally from the [[Latin]], ''eligere'', "to elect". In [[sociology]] as in general usage, the élite is a relatively small dominant [[Group (sociology)|group]] within a large society, which enjoys a privileged status envied by individuals of lower social status. The position of an elite at the top of the social strata almost invariably puts it in a position of leadership and often subjects the holders of elite status to pressure to maintain their position as part of the elite. However, in spite of the pressures, the existence of the elite social stratum is usually unchanged. ==Social elite== In [[society]], the elite are a small collection of people, such as the [[upper class]]. ==Religious elite== In [[religion]] the Latin form "elect" is preferred over the French form "elite" in discussing [[Cathar]] or [[Calvinist]] theology, for examples, and the social structure that is theologically driven. Other religious groups may use expressions like "the [[saint]]s" to describe the elect. Perhaps the most globally recognized of all religious elite reside in Rome: the Pope and the Vatican Assembly. While it is true that the Pope is elected by the college of Cardinals, the cardinals who vote for him are appointed by prior papal decrees. The Pope is himself chosen from among the college of Cardinals. Once elected, the Pope is in "office" for the remainder of his life. ==Linguistic elite== Some elite groups speak a language that is not shared by the commonality: in [[Tsarist Russia]] and in [[Vietnam]] the elite spoke French, in the [[Philippines]] the elite spoke, and in many cases still speak, Spanish. In [[Plantagenet]] England the elite spoke [[Anglo-Norman language|Anglo-Norman]], while [[History of Finland|Finland]] was ruled by a Swedish-speaking elite up to the beginning of the 20<sup>th</sup> century and in [[Ptolemaic Egypt]] the elite spoke [[Koine]] Greek. In ancient India Sanskrit was spoken by elite class. (See [[linguistic imperialism]].) Elites establish correct usage for the language when they share one with the commonality. Elite usage is reflected in "[[Prescription and description|prescriptive]]" dictionaries; common usage is reflected in "descriptive" dictionaries. Elites establish [[cultural canon]]s, which are more widely agreed-upon within the elite and more generally ignored or resented among the non-elite. In the 1950s, the British elite spoke what linguists of the time called [[U and non-U English|U English]]. ==Rump Elite== Elite advantages are the usual ones of a dominant [[social class]]: easier access to [[capital]] and political [[power (sociology)|power]], more rigorous [[education]] largely free of [[indoctrination]], resulting in [[culture|cultural]] influence, and [[leadership]]. Elites may justify their existence based on claims of inherited position; with the rise in the authority of science, certain 19th and 20th century elites have embraced [[pseudoscience|pseudoscientific]] justifications of [[gene]]tic or [[Race (classification of human beings)|racial]] superiority. In [[Nazi Germany]], genetic superiority was used as the basis of an "[[Aryan]]" elite. Elite classes headed by [[Monarchy|monarchies]] have traditionally employed religious sanctions for their position. [[Meritocracy]] is a facet of society that tries to promote merit as a route to the elite. Societies such as that of the [[United States]] have it in their culture to promote such a facet [see [[Horatio Alger]]]. However, while it tends to be imperfect it sheds light as to what many believe to be the "ideal" elite: an elite that is porous and whose members have earned their position as society's top class. [[Aristocracy]] and [[oligarchy]] are social systems which feature an elite as the ruling class. An elite group, ranged round the [[alpha male]], is a distinct feature of other closely-related social [[primate]]s. ==Educational elite== [[Image:Polytechniciens DSC03265.JPG|thumb|right|240px|Students of the [[École Polytechnique]] an elite institution that has provided generals, scientists, engineers, civil servants, industrialists and politicians in the service of the French state.]] Elites are educated to govern. While common public education is often designed to educate the general population to produce knowledgeable and skilled citizens, the elite approach to education is often presented at a more intellectual and demanding level, and is geared to produce leaders of a sort. It can be idealized as an education geared to producing an individual capable of thinking at an intellectual level more advanced than the general population, consisting of diverse philosophical ideals and theories in order to enable the elite to logically evaluate situations. However in some systems, such as that of the [[Scholar-bureaucrats]] that administered China for 1300 years, elite education is used to select and skim off the most able students regardless of class or financial background. In order to pass these [[Imperial examinations]], students had to be versed in the Confucian classics and neo-Confucian commentaries, creating a cohesive and [[Homogenization#Sociology and History| socially homogeneous ]] scholar-gentry. This co-opted into its service those who would have potentially been the most dangerous to the state and left would be malcontents either leaderless or those it did have uneducated. As an avenue to political power, the examination system became increasingly corrupted, with political connections and loyalty to the regime becoming as important as outright ability. The cultural legacy of this policy can still be found in the [[Education in the People's Republic of China|selection]] for the elite Chinese Universities to this day. Elite universities, through a process of indoctrination of a common heritage, ethos and promise of preferred advancement, create a loyal administrative/ruling elite for the service of the state. Such a system of selection for elite education can be seen even in the Western tradition, for example in Napoleon's [[Grandes écoles]]. ==Financial elite== Financial elite refers to the wealthiest members of a society. ==Military==<!-- This section is linked from [[Special forces]] --> A military elite is a unit of soldiers or recruits picked for their competence and put in a special elite unit. Elite units enjoy some benefits as compared to other units, at least in the form of higher status, but often also higher pay and better equipment. Napoléon's [[Imperial Guard]] would be a good example. Note that the word elite in the military sense is fundamentally different from most other uses of the term. A social or societal elite has usually not been picked by anyone except themselves and do not necessarily make part of the elite due to their competence. Military elite units do not exercise any special leadership over other units. In the societal and social sense of the word, the elite of the army is the officer corps, not the elite units. ===Elite military=== In the military community, it is not considered good resource management to create elite units that are expected to do the same things as a regular military unit only better, as opposed to special forces that are expected to do other things than regular soldiers. Critics argue that it creates a negative "second class soldier" feeling among the regular units; for example the [[Grenadier (soldier)|grenadier]] and [[light infantry]] companies of the 18th and 19th century [[British Army]]. Such companies had both a weakening and demoralising effect on the other soldiers of their parent [[battalion]]s, especially when these companies were detached from a number of battalions and grouped together to form [[ad hoc]] grenadier and [[The Light Infantry|light infantry battalions]]. It is also argued that an especially competent soldier does more good as an NCO (non-commissioned officer) or as just the man who sets a good inspiring example for his comrades <ref> "Militär ledning " ("military command" in Swedish) by Marco Smedberg ISBN 91-89442-07-5 Publisher: Wallin och Dalholm 2001 page 182.</ref> . Conversely, some theorists point out that a more powerful unit has a disciplinary effect on the general military core. However, most nations will maintain elite military forces for the purposes of [[Power projection]] and for the purposes of expeditionary warfare. The limiting factor in such operations is usually the availability of [[Airlift (military)|airlift]] and [[sealift]] assets, rather than manpower, first to get forces in theatre and then to sustain these forces with stores and supplies e.g. Britain in the [[Falklands War]]. Such [[Amphibious warfare|amphibious]] and [[airborne forces]], usually operating with minimal [[tank|armor]], [[artillery]] and [[logistics]] support will normally face enemies with superior numbers, prepared positions and interior lines of communications. Under such circumstances the additional effort and cost needed for the selection, training, indoctrination and equipping of elite formations is not only worthwhile, but essential for success. In the narrowest sense of the word, elite units refer only to units of soldiers picked from ordinary troops or recruits to form an elite unit. However, superior units can also be created by other means than picking the most promising soldiers and recruits from regular forces. Such forces can also be created by having a completely different, parallel recruitment process with higher standards than the normal troops. Sometimes a completely different recruitment pool is used such as recruiting internationally or recruiting from a people that is thought to have superiour soldier qualities. The French Foreign Legion recruits professionals internationally and British Gurkha troops are recruited from the Nepales -a people that impressed the British with their soldier qualities. In the very strictest sense of the word these are not elite units since the soldiers are not chosen from regular soldiers or recruits but they are usually called elite units nonetheless. In Commonwealth Militaries, some regiments may be thought of as "elite" for a number of reasons; a particularly distinguished combat record (like the Rifles), great media exposure (the Highland Regiments and the Frontier Force in British India now Pakistan) or being an "old" regiment with a long history (and often thus greater support in Headquarters since these regiments have naturally a higher numbers of senior officers), examples would include the Coldstream Guards (UK), and the Punjab Regiment in India and Pakistan. While again not strictly speaking elites, they often become superior units, since due to their reputation they attract the best and brightest recruits and cadets (who in many armies have a choice of assignment)which results in a correspondingly better performance. Historically at times of military and technological change it would have been impossible financially to re-equip the entire army with new weapons at the same time. To maximize the benefit of new weapons, elite units may be formed, who would be superior to the regular troops because of both the new weapons and additional training and expectations. For example, in the British Army the [[Royal Green Jackets|Rifle Regiments]] were armed with rifles when the rest of the army was equipped with muskets; before them the [[The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers|Fusiliers]] were the first to be armed with flintlocks when the line units had matchlocks. Armies going through change may need formations familiar with new concepts and doctrines to act in the familiarization and adversary training roles. Such units will naturally perform better than their students; e.g. historically the [[Panzerlehrdivision]] and currently the [[U.S. 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment]]. Occasionally a military formation rises quite unplanned to become an especially competent military unit. While raised, organized, equipped and using the same operational procedures as its peers a confluence of events, personalities and circumstances create traditions, reputations and an [[esprit de corps]] that reinforce each other to lift such units above those peers. Such formations include the original [[British 51st (Highland) Division (World War I)|51st Highland division]] and the original [[British 7th Armoured Division|Desert rats]] and the Pakistani 25th Cavalry. Elites within an army can also arise unexpectedly, when only a few units and formations of a army are involved in combat operations while the rest of the army is on peacetime duties, the resulting combat skills make them stand out from their peers, examples would include the 25th Infantry Division and the 1st Cavalry Div in Vietnam, and the Indian Northern Command and Pakistani Force Command Northern Areas in Kashmir. In these two cases it can be argued that units with more modern weapons or units that just happen to be better than others are strictly speaking not elite units since they do not consist of individuals picked for especially high competence but are recruited just like other units. However, sometimes the words "elite unit" are somewhat sloppily used to simply imply "unit that is better than other". US military use "elite" forces for covert missions which require better trained soldiers who are more disciplined and mentally and emotionally stronger. ===Politically elite military=== Historically many elite forces have been created and maintained as much for political reasons as for military ones. The leaders feel they need something more politically reliable than ordinary units and create elite units, hoping that the privileges, the extra political indoctrination that such elite forces are typically given and the pride in belonging to an elite will make them more loyal. The German [[Waffen-SS]] is an atypical example of such a force evolving as it did into a war fighting force. Typically since the days before the Roman [[Praetorian Guard]]s such forces have been used as a loyal and militarily competent counterweight to the nations' other military forces, to protect the incumbent leadership from coups and putches. For example Saddam Hussein had the [[Iraqi Republican Guard]] to keep the normal military in check and the [[Iraqi Special Republican Guard]] to keep an eye on the Republican Guard. In Moscow the old Soviet Union used a trinity of elite formations, each carefully balanced with strengths and weaknesses compared to the others, to keep each other in check and to prevent the others from seizing power, MVD [[Internal Troops]] (lightly equipped, but experienced from internal security missions, with a reputation of ruthlessness and brutality), [[KGB]] Kremlin Guard Force (well trained, led and disciplined but lacking in supporting arms), and elite [[Red Army]] Guards units (best equipped, but reliant on conscripts). Such arrangements, though not to the same paranoid extremes shown by the Soviets, are common in non democratic regimes, especially those where the leadership's rise to power relied on military force. The following description of Iran's [[Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps]], or Pasdaran, can be seen as typical of the formation, evolution and continued [[raison d'Être]]s of such organizations. <blockquote> ...From the beginning of the new Islamic regime, the Pasdaran functioned as a corps of the faithful. Its role in national security evolved from securing the regime and eliminating opposition forces to becoming a branch of the military establishment...[and its] independent military power acted as a check on any possible coup attempts by the armed forces.... </blockquote> <blockquote> ....the Pasdaran, under the guidance of such clerics as Lahuti and [[Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani|Hashemi-Rafsanjani]], was also "to act as the eyes and ears of the [[Iranian Revolution|Islamic Revolution]]" and "as a special task force of the [[Ruhollah Khomeini|Imam Khomeini]] to crush any [[counterrevolutionary]] activities within the government or any political usurper against the Islamic Government." Over the years the [[Islamic Republic Party|IRP]]'s leadership used the Pasdaran to eliminate opposition figures and to enhance its own position. Using the Pasdaran as a springboard to more important positions, Pasdaran leaders could always obtain access to the [[The Interim Government of Iran|Revolutionary Council]] and Khomeini. For example, [[Ali Khamenei|President Khamenehi]] and [[Majlis of Iran|Majlis]] speaker Hashemi-Rafsanjani were both former commanders of the Pasdaran. [http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/irtoc.html Library of Congress Country Studies, Iran, Special and Irregular Armed Forces.] </blockquote> At times such forces become so powerful that they are completely beyond control of the government, or can even become [[kingmaker]]s who control the head of state. The Praetorians infamously auctioned off the Empire to the highest bidder; the [[Streltsy]] first supported and then tried to depose [[Peter the Great]], and the [[Janissary|Janissaries]] repeatedly deposed and installed [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] sultans in the 18th Century. In other instances, e.g. Iraq's Republican Guard, such forces have become little more than social clubs for the societal elites and those seeking advancement through the political system, capable only of bullying unarmed civilians and intimidating the regular military, often failing militarily when tested. {{Fact|date=March 2008}} ===Elites in the military=== [[Image:Prince Charles visits british troops.jpg|thumb|right|240px|Socially and miltarily elite [[Charles, Prince of Wales|HRH Prince Charles]], [[Colonel-in-chief]] of the [[Parachute Regiment (United Kingdom)|Parachute Regiment]].]] For many years the British Army, together with the Church, was seen as the ideal career for the younger sons of the aristocracy, those who would not inherit their fathers' titles or estates. Although now much diminished, the practice has not totally disappeared, the slang term 'Rupert' being used to describe such blue-blooded, usually British public school educated, officers. Such practices are not unique to the British either geographically or historically. The military has always been seen as a means by societal elites to acquire wealth, prestige and power, for example [[Julius Caesar]]. Even in modern democracies there are those who aspire to political power who see a few years in military service, preferably away from any actual fighting, as being essential to a political resume. As a very practical form of displaying patriotism it has been at times "fashionable" for "gentlemen" to participate in the military, usually the militia, to fulfill societal expectations. It has been said that the title "Colonel" was the ultimate fashion accessory for a [[Culture of the Southern United States|Southern]] gentleman. ====See also==== *[[Special forces]] *[[List of special forces]] Historical: *[[Hwarang]] *[[Ninja]] *[[Janjua]] *[[Persian Immortals]] *[[Companion cavalry]] *[[Sacred Band of Carthage]] *[[Sacred Band of Thebes]] *[[Housecarl]] *[[Swiss Guards]] *[[Ever Victorious Army]] *[[Jaguar Warrior]] *[[Soviet Union]] **[[OSNAZ]] **[[Alpha Group]] **[[Vympel]] *[[Nazi Germany]] **[[Großdeutschland Division]] **[[Panzerlehrdivision]] **[[Waffen-SS]] *[[Devil's Brigade]] Politically Elite Military: *[[Special Corps of Gendarmes]] *[[KGB]] *[[Schutzstaffel]] *[[Blackshirts]] *[[Saudi Arabian National Guard]] *[[Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps]] *[[Securitate#Directorate for Security Troops|Securitate Directorate for Security]] Fictional: *[[Emperor's Royal Guard]] and [[Dark Troopers]] from Star Wars *[[Covenant Elite]] a fictional alien race in the video games [[Halo: Combat Evolved]], [[Halo 2]], [[Halo 3]], and [[Halo Wars]] *Shi'ar [[Imperial Guard (comics)|Imperial Guard]] from the [[Marvel Comics]] [[Marvel Universe|universe]]. *the superhuman [[Space Marines]] and even more elite [[Adeptus Custodes]] from Warhammer 40,000 ==Elitism== {{Main|Elitism}} In [[elite theory]] as developed by Marxist political scientists like [[Michael Parenti]], all sufficiently large social groups will have some kind of elite group within them that actively participates in the group's political dynamics. When a group is arbitrarily excluded from the larger society, such as in the case of the [[racism]] that was widespread in the [[United States]] prior to the success of the [[American Civil Rights Movement (1955-1968)|American Civil Rights Movement]], then elite members of the excluded group may form a '''counter-elite''' to fight for their group's interests (although they may be fighting for those interests only to the extent they mesh with the counter-elite's interests). Of course, the dominant elite can neutralize the counter-elite through the classic divide-and-conquer strategy of admitting key members of the counter-elite into the elite. Elitism usually draws envy and resentment from the lower classes and the counter-elite. There are cases where elites arguably use this resentment of an elite to maintain their position. See [[Communism]]. ==References== <div class="references-small"> <references/> </div> ==Further reading== *Daniel Golden, ''The Price of Admission: How America's Ruling Class Buys Its Way Into Elite Colleges--And Who Gets Left Outside the Gates'', Crown Publishers, 2006, ISBN 1400097967 *R. S. Rose, ''The Unpast: Elite Violence and Social Control in Brazil, 1954-2000'', Ohio University Press 2006, ISBN 0896802434 == See also == * [[Power Elite]] * [[Sociology of education]] * [[Boston Brahmin]] * [[Brahmin]] * [[Mandarin (bureaucrat)|Mandarin]] * [[Patrician]] * [[Snob]] == External links == *[http://freepressinternational.com/category/the-elite/ Videos and Info] [[Category:Social groups]] [[Category:French words and phrases]] [[cs:Elita]] [[da:Elite]] [[de:Elite]] [[et:Eliit]] [[es:Elite]] [[fr:Élite]] [[gl:Elite]] [[he:אליטה]] [[lt:Elitas]] [[ja:エリート]] [[pl:Elita]] [[pt:Elite (sociologia)]] [[ru:Элита]] [[sk:Elita]] [[fi:Eliitti]] [[sv:Elit]] [[uk:Еліта]]