The elite is who? What kind of elite can there be?

The term "elite" comes from the Latin word eligo, which means "elected", "best", "select". In political science, sociology and other social sciences, an elite is a certain group of people who occupy a high position in society. When it comes to politics, these individuals have political power and hold high positions in government. If we are talking about the spiritual life of the society, then here the elite of society is the intelligentsia, a group of people that shapes the taste, morals , etc.

Altimetric and axiological approaches in the interpretation of the term "elite"

Scientists distinguish two approaches in the treatment of this concept, namely, altimetric and axiological. According to the first, the elite belong to those individuals who have real influence and actual power, regardless of the level of their intellect and moral and ethical qualities. The second, axiological approach, also called value or meritocratic, is based on the original meaning of the term "elite". This interpretation is based on the individual qualities of people belonging to this group. They should be "the best", stand out in the society for their personal qualities, be smarter, smarter, more talented than others. At the same time, these characteristics are evaluated in comparison with the average indicators of other members of the society. Unfortunately, in our days the altimetric approach prevails - on the principle "there is power - there is no need".

Functions performed by the elite in society

1. Management of society.

2. Development of stereotypes and patterns of behavior in society.

3. Development of adaptive mechanisms.

Types of elites

Classification of elites can occur depending on certain criteria.

1. Depending on the field of activity, the elite happens:

• Political;
• Economic;
• Military;
• Scientific and technical;
• Cultural or spiritual.

Recently, a new kind of society has appeared in society - a business elite that is somewhat of an economic one, but still deserves to be considered a separate group.

2. Elites are also classified according to their relationship to power. According to this criterion, the following two types are distinguished:

• The ruling elite is a group of people who are at the head of power;
• Non-ruling - counter-elite.

3. Depending on the level of decisions made, the elite is divided into the following types:

• The highest (nationwide);
• Average (regional);
• Local.

4. Depending on what interests the elite expresses, it happens:

• Professional;
• Demographic;
• Ethnicity;
• Religious.

5. And in accordance with the results of its activities, it can be:

• The ruling;
• Shadow;
• Pseudoelite;
• Anti-emulsion.

Some types of elites can unite, creating new ones. For example, from the merger of political and economic oligarchic.

Elites are also divided into formal and informal. Influence and power of the first type are based on its leading positions in hierarchical structures. The informal elite is a group that, although it has some influence on the society, has no relation to the authorities. To be clear, let's give an example of an informal look. There are leaders (writers, journalists, artists, etc.) who, although they have no formal power, but their opinion, their example, have an incredibly strong influence on the behavior of the masses.

Social elite

Higher levels of society in the system of social hierarchy, which have power and influence on other groups, is usually called the term "social elite". This category in different periods of the development of society became the object of sociological research, for this purpose various theories were created. According to the most common of them, the social elite is a minority that has an unquestionable power and a strict right to make decisions.

Other theories see in the elite of people performing the most important functions in society. The third social group is a group of people who have been able to achieve the highest performance in their activities, which have a moral (including in terms of responsibility) and intellectual superiority over the rest of the mass. In any case, the elite is the apex of the social pyramid, which, in turn, is divided into different groups. For example, political, national, cultural and other groups are singled out.

Political elite

Political party - a special group of people who have concentrated in their hands the highest power structures. In the modern world, in almost all states, the political elite has the greatest influence . Despite the fact that in most states there is a multi-party system, in some countries one -party system is still present. Or the leading positions of one of the parties are so great that the ruling and political elites consist of the same group of people. In any case, the political elite in society is a group of privileged people who occupy leading positions in the power structures, take direct part in establishing the most important decisions where the use of power is necessary. Its members are people who have a significant amount of state and information power, develop strategies for their institutions and are engaged in regulatory activities. They, as a rule, are excellent organizers.

National elite

In the structure of all nations there is a group of intelligentsia, which has an active influence on all aspects of the life of this society - the national elite. This is a group that is created as a result of the selection and promotion of the most gifted and trained representatives from the whole people so that they are engaged in the management of all social processes. However, as in most cases, members of the national elite seek enrichment at the expense of their compatriots. This leads to discontent and destruction of the integrity of the nation.

Cultural elite

This term has a twofold definition. In a narrow sense, the cultural elite is a cultural and educated minority. And in the broad - a group of people who have a high level of cultural competence and are engaged in the development of various knowledge, including scientific, as well as the creation of spiritual values - works of art, etc. Unfortunately, in the Russian society in the structure of all elites Cultural stands in the last place, behind political, economic, military, national and other. However, ideally, it is the spiritual (cultural) group that should occupy the leading position. After all, in fact, the cultural elite in its content more than others corresponds to the etymology of the term - the "best".

Other meanings of the word "elite"

In addition to the main meaning of the word "elite", this term also denotes non-social subjects and objects that have exclusive (exclusive) qualities. For example, in society they say "elite troops". In this case, the elite - the best military units, which are entrusted with protecting the country from potential enemies. Or this term is called the best, the most expensive real estate, and so on.

Conclusion

Proceeding from the foregoing, it can be concluded that the elite is a very special group, different from the others. This is most likely a quality, a special way of life, morality and will.