...ELITES – THE GEN Y TRANSFORMERS Nature abhors vacuum, and so do homo-sapiens. The latter, in its unrelenting quest, goes a step further and evolves to improvise, adapt and overcome. Given the nature of how non-conformist descended from the same ancestor, we’re all the same; and yet we’re so different. At the very outset, the elite, since time immemorial, has enjoyed a stellar reputation by virtue of their elevated status, which was, is and continues to be shaped by their social status; political background; cultural hegemony and/or economical might. There is no doubt in mentioning that the elite has toiled hard, slogged painstakingly and worked tirelessly to mount on the pinnacle in every walk of life. However, the existential question still looms large; to what extent the ‘elite’ has contributed and is contributing in the national and global discourse. The answer may well be fraught with complications, and full of labyrinth cross-questions, but this is what this essay seeks to do. I live in India, a developing economy whose population is over 1.2 billion. Though it is the seventh largest country in terms of area it houses the maximum number of people second to China. If we are optimistic, then in one way we have the second largest manpower in the world and we can use it to do wonders. Infact the steady progress which India has been doing in the past has made the developed nations be wary and cautious of India’s achievements. But, on the contrary, if we look at the real...
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...C. Wright Mills proposed the power-elite theory in 1956, which states that there is a power elite in modern societies, an elite who commands the resources of vast bureaucratic organizations that have come to dominate industrial societies. According to Mills, the power elite are the key people in the three major institutions of modern society- military, economy and the government (Mills 1956). It is the elite that occupy these leadership positions within the bureaucracies. Although this theory was proposed in what may have been a simpler time, the structure of power in America remains very much the same, as does the close relationship between the military, corporate, and government elites. Mills placed the military as one of the triumvirate groups that comprised the power elite. The military has been elevated to a position of prestige and power and the present class of professional soldiers has had an impact that is far greater than just military affairs. In World War II, large corporations tied to the defense industry rose in power and influence and formed the origins of what President Eisenhower called the military industrial complex (Swanson). The war brought a bureaucratic centralization of power. In more recent times, the demands of foreign affairs, the dangers of potential adversaries, the sophistication and mystique of new weapons, and especially the development of the means of mass destruction have all given power to our highest military leaders (Reynolds). Corporations...
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... In the second chapter of the book, Walker focuses on the events of the earthquake. According to Walker, the majority of the people believed it was the wrath of God. The religious segment of society believed that it was the sinful society of Lima which had instigated the disaster. They thought the earthquake was a premonition of future punishments that would follow, and different areas of society were blamed for the catastrophe. As the church preached about the future disasters, the city officials blamed them for the environment of superstition and fear. In chapter three, Walker discusses the urban political distribution of Lima prior to the earthquake, discussing the racial caste system of each area. It becomes clear that the elite classes in Lima may have held a special status, but they were living in constant fear of the lower classes as well. Following the disaster of the earthquake and the tsunami, the social classes were thrown into upheaval, and there was suddenly more upward mobility open to the once rigorous and heavily defined social...
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...Jay Gatsby is a relevant character today, in 2015, as he was a relevant character in 2002 at the time of Cohen’s writing in the NY Times. In 2002, a lot of things were happening that made the American dream seem toppled. Kmart, then a large retailer, became the largest retailer to declare Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Also declaring Chapter 11 bankruptcy that year were WorldCom and United Airlines. The former Chief Financial Officer of Enron is indicted on several counts of money laundering, conspiracy, and wire fraud, among other charges (The People History, 2004). A lot of big money bombed in 2002, some of which were illegally gotten in the first place (Enron), and this reflects in Jay Gatsby – illegally gotten wealth that eventually bombs when Gatsby dies. But it is not so much the “ill-gotten gain” that makes Gatsby suffer as it is the disillusionment with what society valued up until the end of the first world war, when Gatsby got out of uniform and got into money. Up until the end of the first world war (1918), society was all about its old money and aristocracy, whatever leftover Victorian values there were, and the elegance and refinement that supposedly came with the generations of old money. And the new money that Jay Gatsby has does not put him in the same social class as the rest of the old money people, even though he has just as much (if not more) money than they do. They look down their nose at him for having “new” money, and find him to be gaudy, garish...
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...__________________________ authorize my child to participate fully in The Elite Basketball Tournament instructed by Williamson Surin. As lawful consideration for being permitted to participate in the The Elite Basketball Tournament or clinic I agree that I will not make a claim against, sue, attach the property of or prosecute The Elite Basketball Tournament, Williamson Surin, his auxiliary coaches, hired staff and special guests for damages for any losses, damage or injury, that may occur to my child or which my child may sustain as a result of participation in these sporting activities. This release is intended to discharge in advance The Elite Basketball Tournament and their agents, sponsors and employees and premises where the basketball camp is being conducted from and against any and all liability, including for negligent actions, arising out of or connected in any way with my child’s participation in the sports league, camp or clinic. I FURTHER UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS AN INTENSE BASKETBALL CAMP AND THAT SPORTS INVOLVE PHYSICAL CONTACT BETWEEN PLAYERS, THAT SERIOUS ACCIDENTS OCCASIONALLY OCCUR DURING SUCH SPORTING ACTIVITIES, AND THAT PARTICIPANTS IN SUCH SPORTING ACTIVITIES OCCASIONALLY SUSTAIN SERIOUS PERSONAL INJURIES (INCLUDING DEATH) AND/OR PROPERTY DAMAGE, AS A CONSEQUENCE THEREOF, KNOWING THE RISKS OF PARTICIPATION, NEVERTHELESS, I HEREBY AGREE TO ASSUME THOSE RISKS AND TO RELEASE AND HOLD HARMLESS THE ELITE BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT AND THEIR AGENTS, SPONSORS AND EMPLOYEES WHO...
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...Case Study Porsche: Guarding the Old While Bringing in the New 1. Analyze the buyer decision process of a traditional Porsche customer. A typical Porsche customer does not go through the traditional buyer decision steps. “The five steps include; need recognition, information search, and evaluation of alternatives, purchase decision, and postpurchase behavior” (Kotler & Armstrong, 2014). These customers skip most of the 5 stages and jump right into the purchase decision. Although these individuals might make a purchase off of brand recognition usually the decision is made based on their wants and their mind is made up well before the purchase occurs. “Porsche appeals to a very narrow segment of financially successful people” (Kotler & Armstrong, 2014) and these people purchase their cars for the pure enjoyment of the vehicle and the exclusivity the car provides. As a current owner of three Porsches, and currently searching for number four, I can tell you that personally I purchase these vehicles for two reasons; for the pure excitement I get when driving these cars and they also define my arrival at a successful benchmark in my life and the exclusivity that comes with ownership. Nothing can replicate the feeling of driving one, and no other combination of sound, feel, sight and soul can connect with a true “Porschephile” (Urban Dictionary, 2005), like owning a Porsche. “A Porsche is more than just a vehicle. It is an expression of freedom and a unique attitude...
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...is an everyday affairs. On the other hand, Dead poet’s society opens up the rich urban setting, depicting the power of uniqueness and a high level of discipline. Also, the choice of music used in Dangerous mind is in juxtaposed with the choice music used in Dead poet society. The song choices in both movies reflects characters that appear in the film. That is the use of the song, Gangster’s Paradise relates to the inner city street life and gangs which was portrayed at the beginning of the Dangerous mind film. Whereas the song choice used in the Dead poet society film represented peace and class. I will be using the following themes Tradition and Honor in analysing both movies. The film Dead poet society, is about a group of boys from elite backgrounds attending Welton Academy with great expectations from their parents. The Dead poet society tells a story about the English teacher Mr Keating...
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...modernization, the reform came at the expense of its people. Whereas the nation’s inhabitants had split into two groups, the wealthy, who favored reform, and the poor, who held traditional methods close. This domestic conflict only made the pressure to implement change more difficult as it became a necessity for survival in the new world. Diaz’s plan to synonymously restore order and change to a broken country thrived upon positive ideals, which were believed to modernize the country as an economic powerhouse through mandatory reform and foreign investments. The country’s social stability and economy predominantly suffered in the post war, and as Diaz rose to power in 1876, the society had divided amongst the elite liberals and the poor conservatives. Diaz along with the elite class supported the industrial...
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...by the upper class elites, sometimes taking into considerations to the middle ‘educated’ classes and even rarer to the organised labour, which is a very privileged worker class. And in these countries, the ruling governments have announced that they are in favour of decreased inequality and the raising of the living levels of the poor. However the trend is going in the complete reverse direction, with a heightened level of inequality, seeing the rewards of any development being enjoyed by the upper class members, while the lower classes experience worsening living and working conditions. Redirecting the money towards those whom need it the most alone will not create a perfect equal society. Instead they require fundamental changes in both living and working conditions, with an emphasis on both increased equality and increased productivity. Corruption must be completely eliminated on all levels. Here are some interesting figures that I found in my research, that weren’t in the article, but illustrate the • The net worth of the richest 358 people in the world is equal to the combined annual income of the 2.3 billion poorest people in the world • In Mexico the poorest 10% of the population receives 1.52% of the Gross National Income while the top 10% receives 38.7% of it The problem with developed countries helping out in implementing these changes lies with the fact that any negotiations, including those involving aid, are conducted with the social elite, thus increasing...
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...prevalent and visible today. This paper on “Examining Meritocracy and Elitism in Singapore” serves to explore the inherent contradictions within the concept of meritocracy and investigate the systemic failures arising from the dissonance caused by how meritocracy is practised in Singapore where the inevitable social and income inequalities results in an elitist system which perpetuates itself. The central research question is how meritocracy shapes the Singapore elite and in turn how the elite shapes meritocracy in the country. In this paper, the elite is defined as the class of English-educated Singaporeans who subsequently rises to the top as the political and bureaucratic elite, unless otherwise specified. This paper will discuss how the elite accumulates an increasing degree and concentration of influence which allows them to consolidate their dominance over the rest of society, as well as its attendant consequences. This paper will thus illustrate how instead of seeking to bridge the social divide, the elites’ privileged and entrenched position actually leads to limiting social mobility as they continue to safeguard their self-interests. II. MERITOCRACY AND ITS DANGERS Meritocracy was a term coined by...
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...The influential members of London’s elite society in the seventeenth – century viewed the consumption of hot chocolate and later solid chocolate treat that were sold in upscale boutiques as a sign of being prestigious. While doing the same time period America settlers pioneered were developing cheaper chocolate bars for consumption to the masses. Centuries passed, and in the 19th hundreds America pioneers grown tired of the taste of mass production chocolate and desired the taste of prominent chocolate. In 1911 Ethel’s Chocolate Lounges, whose named in honor of the matriarch of the Mars Family was founded with her husband Frank entered the chocolate market despite only a 3% growth in the U.S. Chocolate industry. The main reasons of the slow growth were the lack of industry innovation and the less desirable tasting chocolate. The creation of Ethel’s Chocolate Lounge took the existent markets and the original connection between chocolate and the elite social circles and turned it into the new must have. Ethel’s is an establishment that offers exquisite chocolates, in a posh, location. The consumer and the buyer would need to make sure that the purchase makes sense economically, and they would have the acquired taste to enjoy the variety of sweets and chocolates that Ethel’s has to offer. The consumer would have to engage in the extensive decision making would best determine whether or not they could indulge at Ethel’s. The products that Ethel’s is marketing are targeting...
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...policy agendas.” (Whitty, 2001, p.287) While issues and effects of social class exist in all countries, the English experience is particularly problematic. (Goldthorpe, 1996) In the United Kingdom at the turn of the 19th century a university education was a privilege enjoyed by the sons of the wealthy and influential. Although members of the social elite “passed through the universities, they rarely completed their degrees. The subsidiary mission of the pre-industrial universities was to complete the socialisation of future elites, social and political”. (Scott, 1995, p.12) The last two decades have witnessed a considerable amount of rhetoric with regard to improving this situation; with access and inclusion being the keystones of nearly every government policy issued. New Labour went so far as to announce in its election manifesto an explicit aim of increasing participation in higher education to 50 per cent of 18 to 30 year olds – though its best level of attainment was some 39.8 per cent as of 2007. (Kirkup, 2008). However, access and inclusion have not even begun to address education’s subsidiary purpose of socialising future elites. New Labour positioned itself as the government which would address the class issues plaguing British education. The then UK Secretary of State for Education,...
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...birthright of each new group of students into credentials, relationships, and culture, all of which ensured their future success.” (Khan 13) St Paul’s however strives to have their student body represent the population of the world, with both the wealthiest and the poorest, female and male, and students of all races living together. Khan works to present the idea of a “‘new elite’ – a group of advantaged youths who don’t quite reflect what we typically imagine when we conjure up a vision of the well-off.” (Khan 16) These “new elite” are not all white or from rich families or live in picturesque houses in New England. Instead, this group is diverse, hard working, and believe that they can achieve upward mobility if they are determined enough to do so. Privilege is Shamus Khan’s attempt to understand and explain this new elite and to make sense of the ever-widening inequality that pervades American culture. Looking at history, we can begin to understand the divide between title and wealth and the phenomenon of increasing inequality occurring simultaneously with increasing diversity. “…the Gilded Age elites became a distinct class, they removed themselves socially, culturally, and even spatially from their...
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...convincing do you find the paper? This paper discusses how and by whom a so-called “Big Push” should be operated. A big push is a flood of state-controlled investment across all sectors, sparking off industry (micro level) and economic (macro level) growth. It argues that a state-run big push is likely to fail and instead, pyramidal business groups can coordinate such a big push overall and more efficient. Japan is chosen as the example of such a business-coordinated big push success. The authors argue that nowadays we know that intensive state intervention leads to political rent-seeking, whereas investments go into productive projects which can accelerate economic growth and progress, opposite to rent-seeking. It is therefore likely that an elite will try to take advantage of, or influence governmental decisions and investments. The main argument for a state-run big push is the issue of hold-up problems: In order to develop complementary industries, investors need to be certain of the demand from complementary industries when they’ve built their industry. Sometimes even subsidizing one with the help of the other is needed. Since that seems normally not to be the case, state-run intervention is called for. That explanation was the state-of-the-art-model to coordinate a big push. Japan undertook the following and ended up – as already mentioned – through government failure in a financial crisis. As a result, the prior created state-owned enterprises (SOE) were mass-privatized. Wealthy...
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...television program which is mandatory and to be enjoyed. One of the themes that's present in our society and the movie is the obsession with celebrities and fame. I found myself finding a lot of similarities between the Hunger Games contestants and those on shows like American Idol and The Voice. Both have stylists that dress them up to make them look more dazzling and attractive, and both have mentors that help guide them through the process. There is a spectacle of fashion, makeup and style that has gone wild within the “elite class”. The style and fashion of the “elite class”(people who live in the high-tech cities of Panem) seems to be echoed right out of a modern-day parade. People are adorned with bright, excessive clothing and garnishing, and they're painted up in bizarre makeup and hair color. They literally prance around like frolicking maniacal members of royalty, and they experience great joy from causing others to suffer. The government-worshipping elite class see themselves as intellectually superior to everyone...
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