'Elitism' - Why it's Healthy and Why you Can't Abolish It
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by Major Lee Hung
In the past 6-12 months, we've seen the term 'Elitism' thrown around an awful lot. The big picture seems to be one side accusing another of being elitist. Is this true? To some extent, yes, but it's very much impossible to get rid of.
What is Elitism?
"The advocacy or existence of an elite as a dominating element in a system or society."
In other words, it's somebody with elevated privelages within a group. There's typically atleast one trait that allows somebody to gain elite status. Wealth, ancestory, experience, abilities, personality and fitness to govern.
You will notice I highlighted certain words with bold - these words are very relevant to eRepublik, and the social elitism we see here.
Elitism is just a part of human nature, and is also witnessed in almost all other species of animals. The 'dominant' figures of a community of said animal will be the elite of their group, and the other animals in their pack will often follow. Humans are no different; hence the reason we have elected representatives, high ranking military personnel and rich entrepreneurs just to name a few examples.
Does Elitism Exist in eRepublik?
Yes. Every country has its 'social elite', just like in real life. However, unlike real life, the social elite is constantly changing. Yesterday's newbies are tomorrow social elites in eRepublik, and everybody usually gets their chance with effort.
There is no problem in identifying that a community has 'elite' members. There is an issue however in completely misconstruing the definition of elitism due to ignorance.
Accussations of Elitism
Lets take a look at some members of the eUK community for a prime example. I'll avoid naming the individuals to stop this from being an attack on them, but I'm sure you can guess who they are.
A certain party often claims that it's anti-elite and will be a voice for the people. This may very well be true, but the other things they say prove how out of touch with reality they are, because they've become so overly involved with their own arguments.
They mislead uninformed individuals that if they elect the unnamed party, there will be no more elitism in the eUK. This is completely untrue; the social elitism will just change to favour their bias, and they'll be under the illusion that the problem is 'fixed'. What if their goals did come true? It's simple - in 6 months time, another party will come along blaming them for being elitist, and the cycle will continue until the overall IQ of the eUK's player-base rises.
This party has it's own social elites - the vocal members who post articles every day, send communications out every day and gain the respect of their party. They are indeed 'elites' of their own little group, trying to force their way in to the eUK elite.
TL😉
R Version
Elitism comes down to perception bias. Every party has it's own social elites. The eUK government is a collection of them. You can't get rid of them, you can only replace them; there's nothing wrong with there being elite members of the community, and it's very much a major part of nature. Humans wouldn't have come so far without leadership, or 'elitism'.
Accussing people of being elitist and then telling everybody you'll abolish elitism is incredbly naive, and proves your limited intellectual capacity; I think it's time that eUK politics saw some actual valid points instead of one side proving their stupidy time and time again.
Thanks for reading; and hopefully this article informs a few people of what elitism really is, and why it's actually healthy for the community!
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Comments
voted, good perception there
Every party has there 'elites' (intelligent actives), the difference being how easy it is to break into that group.
Very good article.
This very much echoes my thoughts on some things a while ago.
Voted
I actually don't think there is much elitism in parties, people can rise to the top fairly easily and quickly.
It's people being given powers over others with no accountability or appeal against what they do that worries me. Positions are abused or mistakes made, then people just lash out in responce as there is no other way to solve the issues.
This has caused all sorts of drama from stuff I've done to parties being made (UKPP) and diplomacy trashed today with a rogue NE.
Voted!
Voted!
Every party has there 'elites' (intelligent actives), the difference being how easy it is to break into that group.
x2
Those who promise change typically are only referring to a changing of the guard so that they are the ones that hold the power.
I would also be hard-pressed Wayne to find a party that would want to limit any new person from taking on authority and workload. The number of active and reliable citizens is a precious commodity - I find it inconceivable that any 'major' party would seek to restrict their ability to contribute.
Different people have different approaches. Ultimately, everyone in the UK can agree that the more active and new players being given responsibility, the better. The devil is in the detail; how soon, which responsibilities, what safeguards, etc.
Spot on! The label of elitism just makes it easy to set somebody else as a target so you can try to get people to knock them down. I agree with those above who say that every party needs and presumably encourages young players. As jamesw say, the only real difference is what methods are used to nurture them and train them for leadership.
Elite is just another word for successful. It's just an argument against the successful people winning all the prizes at the fair. Truth is mostly successful people are constantly promoting others to replace them.
I was going to read this but I was too busy being elite and stuff.
Very weak article, ... i understand high level of framing concepts is not available to everyone.
I AM ELITE o7
Every party has there 'elites' (intelligent actives), the difference being how easy those actives make it for the new player to join them.
I don't think TUP ever wanted to get to the situation where every CP they had this year was born in over 2 years ago or being forced to keep electing someone to congress for the +30th time. They just never had a plan in place to bring through the likes Wayne, LM, Unclemick, Mtimmins, Slaxor, RFeists, etc.. etc... and I don't think they have the mental werewithal or nutsack to do so.
^This is the trap that UKPP now has to avoid having become the largest party in the land.
@Wayne "Every party has there 'elites' (intelligent actives), the difference being how easy it is to break into that group."
It depends on what kind of person someone is. Is she/he a hard worker, trustworthy, loyal etc or is she/he a troll etc? Does the person represent the same values as the "elite group"?
If someone have problems breaking into an "elite group" it is because the person doesn't fit in with the already existing group and that is hardly the "elite groups" fault or problem.
Wooo Fascism
To expand further on what Kain Propan says, I believe this is where the prejudice against the big parties lies. Its not that they're exclusive to certain people, it's just that you don't shine amongst all the other members competing with you for social standing.
You then go on to join a small party, which eventually grows with like-minded people until people decide they can't progress in it, and it dies, and the cycle continues.
great article 😃
elvis, wait to see my article, that's what I'd call a great article.