term "elite" is derived from the Latin word eligo, which means "chosen", "best", "choice".In political science, sociology and other social sciences elite considered a certain group of people who occupy a high position in society.When it comes to policy, these individuals have the political power and occupy high positions in government.If we are talking about the spiritual life of society, there is the elite of society - it is the intelligentsia, a group of people that forms the taste, morality and so on. D.
altimetry and axiological approaches in the interpretation of the term "elite"
Scientists distinguish between two approachesthe interpretation of this concept, namely, altimetry and axiological.In a first, the elite belong to those individuals who have real influence and actual authority, regardless of their level of intelligence and the moral and ethical qualities.The second, the axiological approach, which is also called value-or meritocratic, based on the original meaning of the term "elite".This interpretation is based on the individual qualities of people belonging to this group.They must be "best" to stand out in the community with their personal qualities, to be smarter, more intelligent, more talented than others.The data characteristics are evaluated in comparison with the average of other members of society.Unfortunately, nowadays altimetry approach prevails - the principle of "might is - do not mind."
functions performed by the elite of society
1. Management of the society.
2. Develop attitudes and behaviors in society.
3. Development of adaptive mechanisms.
Forms elite
Classification elites may occur depending on certain criteria.
1. Depending on the scope of the elite is:
- political;
- economic;
- military;
- scientific and technical;
- cultural or spiritual.
Recently, in a new kind of society - the business elite that something akin to the economic, but still deserves to be considered as a separate group.
2. The elites are also classified according to their relationship to power.By this criterion distinguishes between the following two types:
- ruling elite - a group of people standing at the head of government;
- nepravyaschaya - counter-elite.
3. Depending on the level of decisions elite is divided into the following types:
- supreme (national);
- average (regional);
- local.
4. Depending on what interests expresses the elite, it is:
- professional;
- population;
- ethnicity;
- religious.
5. In accordance with the results of its activities, it can be:
- ruling;
- shadow;
- pseudoelite;
- anti-elites.
Some of the elite can join together to create new ones.For example, from the confluence of political and economic oligarchy formed.
Elite also be subdivided into formal and informal.The influence and power of the first type based on its leading position in the hierarchy.Informal elite - a group which, though having a definite impact on society, but has no relation to the authorities.To make it clear, give an example of an informal kind.There are leaders (this may be writers, journalists, artists and others.), Which, although they do not have any formal power, but their opinion, their example has an incredibly strong impact on the behavior of the masses.
elite social
higher strata of society in the social hierarchy, who have the power and the influence of other groups, called the term "social elite".This category in different periods of development of the society became the object of sociological research, to this end, various theories.According to the most common of these, the social elite - a minority which has strict and unquestionable authority to make decisions.
Others theory sees the elite of people who perform the most important functions in society.Still others believe the social group of people who were able to reach the highest performance in its operations, 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 pyramid, which in turn, subdivided into different groups.For example, release the political, national, cultural and others. Group.
political elite
political elite - a special group of people who are concentrated in the hands of the higher power structure.In today's world almost all countries have the greatest influence political elite.Despite the fact that in most countries there is a multi-party system, in some countries there is still a one-party.Or a leader of one of the parties is so large that the ruling political elite made up of the same group of persons.In any case, the political elite in a society is a group of privileged people who hold senior positions in the government, directly involved in the establishment of major decisions, where necessary the use of power.Its members - are people who have a significant amount of public information and authorities are developing strategies for their institutions and are engaged in regulatory activities.They usually are excellent organizers.
national elite
a part of all the nations there is a group of intellectuals, which has an active influence on all aspects of life of the society - the national elite.This is a group that is created as a result of selection and promotion of all the people of the most gifted and trained representatives to ensure that they do control all social processes.However, as in most cases, members of the national elites seeking to enrichment at the expense of their fellow countrymen.This leads to frustration and destruction of the integrity of the nation.
cultural elite
This term has a dual definition.In the narrow sense of the cultural elite - a cultured and educated minority.A wide - a group of people who have a high level of cultural competence and are developing a variety of knowledge, including research, and the creation of spiritual values - works of art, and so on. D. No matter how annoying, in the Russian society in the structure of the elitesCulture is at the bottom, giving the political, economic, military, national and others.Ideally, however, it is a spiritual (cultural) The group should hold a dominant position.After all, in fact, the cultural elite in its content more than any other matches etymology of the term - "the best."
Other meanings of the word "elite"
addition to the basic meaning of the word "elite", this term is also referred to non-social actors and objects that possess exceptional (exclusive) properties.For example, in the community say "elite troops".In this case, the elite - the best military units, who are entrusted to protect the country against potential enemies.Or the term called the best, the most expensive real estate and so on. D.
Conclusion Based on the foregoing, it can be concluded that the elite - a very special, different from other groups.It is likely, quality, special way of life, morality and freedom.
