Is populist elitism an oxymoron?
Elite—a group of persons who by virtue of position or education exercise much power or influence
Populist—a believer in the rights, wisdom, or virtue of the common people
I claim that a believer in the rights, wisdom, or virtue of the common people who exercises much power or influence by virtue of his or her learning is a populist elitist.
It is obvious that there is a class of people who manage the government, who influence those that manage government, and who interpret it all to the voting public exists in the United States. Such a class is essential to the functioning of a liberal democracy.
Presently in the US this class of elite individuals consists primarily of ‘experts’. This class of experts “is inevitably so removed from common interests as to become a class with private interests and private knowledge, which in social matters is not knowledge at all. The result, Dewey warns, is a democracy that risks both unaccountability and error. It is obvious to me that such a situation is no longer a risk but is a reality.
I offer, for consideration, a possible solution that will take much time to implement but will be the fastest solution available. I suggest that those adults, who can, begin the process of self-actualizing self-learning in order to become a populist elitist.
Is populist elitism an oxymoron?
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Is populist elitism an oxymoron?
Yes it's an oxymoron.
Elitism: The belief that certain persons or members of certain classes or groups deserve favored treatment by virtue of their perceived superiority, as in intellect, social status, or financial resources.
An elitist is one who practices elitism.
I think you refer to an elite group of populists. If this group exists, I would think they would like nothing more than for everyone to be as influencial as they are. That would be the populist position, by definition, would it not? Presuming it is, they are probably greatly saddened that they are a small enough group to be considered "elite".
As for the group itself, I don't believe they exist. I see a rampant bigotry among some of the "haves" against the "have nots" that manifests itself as benevolence. This group of elites (possibly even elitists) believes that the "have nots" have not because they are incapable of having, succeeding, or indeed surviving, without their "help". This "help" has resulted in our current welfare state and the helplessness and hopelessness that pervades inner-city neighborhoods and other poor areas.
Elitism: The belief that certain persons or members of certain classes or groups deserve favored treatment by virtue of their perceived superiority, as in intellect, social status, or financial resources.
An elitist is one who practices elitism.
I think you refer to an elite group of populists. If this group exists, I would think they would like nothing more than for everyone to be as influencial as they are. That would be the populist position, by definition, would it not? Presuming it is, they are probably greatly saddened that they are a small enough group to be considered "elite".
As for the group itself, I don't believe they exist. I see a rampant bigotry among some of the "haves" against the "have nots" that manifests itself as benevolence. This group of elites (possibly even elitists) believes that the "have nots" have not because they are incapable of having, succeeding, or indeed surviving, without their "help". This "help" has resulted in our current welfare state and the helplessness and hopelessness that pervades inner-city neighborhoods and other poor areas.
Is populist elitism an oxymoron?
I wish to accent the positive and eliminate the negative. I wish to make the reader conscious that elite does mean positive things and I would like the reader to recognize that the salvation of our life style or even our existence may depend upon humans finding what is positive and to set them self upon the path toward utilizing our potential to save our self.
It is easy to dismiss all positive things and to remain negative and apathetic but if we accept our responsibility we will not take the easy way out.
Four out of five replies are negative. I guess young people think it is cool to be negative but it is not cool and it is not smart.
It is easy to dismiss all positive things and to remain negative and apathetic but if we accept our responsibility we will not take the easy way out.
Four out of five replies are negative. I guess young people think it is cool to be negative but it is not cool and it is not smart.
Is populist elitism an oxymoron?
coberst;458227 wrote: I wish to make the reader conscious that elite does mean positive things...
The value or lack of value of an elite class was covered fairly well in The Glass Bead Game. In that magnum opus, I see no reason to go against the finding of the Magister Ludi. There is an elite class that provides a home to like minded individuals but that very segregation stifles the elites themselves by rendering them impotent.
The value or lack of value of an elite class was covered fairly well in The Glass Bead Game. In that magnum opus, I see no reason to go against the finding of the Magister Ludi. There is an elite class that provides a home to like minded individuals but that very segregation stifles the elites themselves by rendering them impotent.