Definition

1. 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

1. the attitude that society should be governed by an elite group of individuals