elitism
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A belief or attitude that a society or system should be led or governed by a small, privileged group of people considered superior in terms of ability, wealth, or social status. This group is often referred to as the "elite."
- The practice of or tendency toward giving preferential treatment to or expressing superiority of such a select group.
Usage and Examples
- Noun:
- The club's policy of admitting only graduates from certain universities was criticized as blatant elitism.
- His political philosophy was rooted in a form of technocratic elitism, believing experts should make all major decisions.
- The artist rejected the elitism of the traditional art world, wanting her work to be accessible to everyone.
Advanced Usage and Concepts
- Cultural Elitism: A belief that the tastes, values, and lifestyle of a particular social or cultural elite are superior to those of others.
- The debate over funding often reveals a deep-seated cultural elitism, favoring classical arts over popular forms.
- Intellectual Elitism: The attitude that intellectual pursuits and people of high intelligence are inherently more valuable.
- His intellectual elitism made him dismissive of opinions he considered unsophisticated.
Variants and Related Words
- Elitist (adj/noun): Characterized by or advocating for elitism; a person who holds elitist views.
- She was accused of having an elitist attitude toward popular culture. (adj)
- He was seen as an elitist who was out of touch with ordinary people. (noun)
- Elite (noun/adj): The select group that is considered superior; also used as an adjective to describe something belonging to this group.
- The political elite gathered for the conference. (noun)
- She attended an elite private university. (adj)
Synonyms
- Snobbery: The behavior or attitude of people who think they are better than others due to their taste, knowledge, or social status.
- Exclusivity: The practice of excluding certain groups, often to maintain privilege or prestige.
- Aristocraticism (less common): A disposition favoring rule by a privileged hereditary class.
Antonyms
- Egalitarianism: The doctrine that all people are equal and deserve equal rights and opportunities.
- Populism: A political approach that strives to appeal to ordinary people who feel their concerns are disregarded by established elite groups.
Related Phrases and Idioms
- Ivory Tower: A state of privileged seclusion or separation from the practicalities of real life, often associated with academic or intellectual elitism.
- Critics accused the policymakers of living in an ivory tower, unaware of the struggles of average citizens.
Noun
- the attitude that society should be governed by an elite group of individuals