Why We Don’t Trust the “Elites”

[Michie]

The solution to the problem of modern elitism is not the elimination of leadership but its reformation—the cultivation of stewardship elitism that positions leaders as servants of civilization rather than its masters.

In a recent essay for The Free Press titled “Our elites don’t deserve this much hatred,” economist Tyler Cowen makes a characteristic defense of our current elite class. Cowen’s argument follows familiar lines: elites are generally competent at what they do, they work hard, and society benefits from their expertise and innovations. To reject them wholesale, Cowen seems to suggest, would be to embrace a destructive populism that ultimately harms everyone.

This defense, however well-intentioned, misses the fundamental critique that traditionalist thinkers have long leveled against modern technocratic elitism, as well as the current populist revolt against elite opinion and authority. The issue is not competence versus incompetence (althought many of our current elites are indeed incompetent), but rather a deeper question of what stewardship-oriented leadership means and what responsibilities elites have toward civilization itself.

Beyond Technocratic Elitism

Continued below.

Why We Don't Trust the "Elites"

The solution to the problem of modern elitism is not the elimination of leadership but its reformation – the cultivation of stewardship elitism that positions leaders as servants of civilization rather than its masters. (essay by Gary Houchens)

theimaginativeconservative.org

 

[JustaPewFiller]

In a recent essay for The Free Press titled “Our elites don’t deserve this much hatred,” economist Tyler Cowen makes a characteristic defense of our current elite class. Cowen’s argument follows familiar lines: elites are generally competent at what they do, they work hard, and society benefits from their expertise and innovations. To reject them wholesale, Cowen seems to suggest, would be to embrace a destructive populism that ultimately harms everyone.

This defense, however well-intentioned, misses the fundamental critique that traditionalist thinkers have long leveled against modern technocratic elitism, as well as the current populist revolt against elite opinion and authority. The issue is not competence versus incompetence (althought many of our current elites are indeed incompetent), but rather a deeper question of what stewardship-oriented leadership means and what responsibilities elites have toward civilization itself.

Beyond Technocratic Elitism

Continued below.

Why We Don't Trust the "Elites"

The solution to the problem of modern elitism is not the elimination of leadership but its reformation – the cultivation of stewardship elitism that positions leaders as servants of civilization rather than its masters. (essay by Gary Houchens)

theimaginativeconservative.org

I'm glad I found this again. I had meant to come back to it.

On the concept of stewardism. I would ask, what are the elites of today stewards of?

Judging by their rapid gain of wealth in recent years it would seem they are stewards of getting themselves as rich as possible and staying rich and powerful,.

CEO pay declined in 2023: But it has soared 1,085% since 1978 compared with a 24% rise in typical workers’ pay

CEO pay dipped in 2023 but remains enormous compared with the pay of other workers.

www.epi.org

• From 1978–2023, top CEO compensation shot up 1,085%, compared with a 24% increase in a typical worker’s compensation. 

• In 2023, CEOs were paid 290 times as much as a typical worker—in contrast to 1965, when they were paid 21 times as much as a typical worker. 
• That CEOs were paid nearly 10 times as much as the top 0.1% of U.S. wage earners in 2022 illustrates just how distorted CEO pay increases have become

As the old saying goes, follow the money. Follow the data. The elite have been excellent stewards of making things better for themselves. They haven't really passed on that "making things better" to the rank and file either as the data shows.

To phrase it as a question, "Why should we trust someone that seems to be only in it for themselves and few close cronies?

 

[Michie]

I'm glad I found this again. I had meant to come back to it.

On the concept of stewardism. I would ask, what are the elites of today stewards of?

Judging by their rapid gain of wealth in recent years it would seem they are stewards of getting themselves as rich as possible and staying rich and powerful,.

CEO pay declined in 2023: But it has soared 1,085% since 1978 compared with a 24% rise in typical workers’ pay

CEO pay dipped in 2023 but remains enormous compared with the pay of other workers.

www.epi.org

As the old saying goes, follow the money. Follow the data. The elite have been excellent stewards of making things better for themselves. They haven't really passed on that "making things better" to the rank and file either as the data shows.

To phrase it as a question, "Why should we trust someone that seems to be only in it for themselves and few close cronies?

We shouldn’t. It takes no great talent to pad one’s own coffers. What takes talent and strength of character is being equitable to all when you could go down the usual wide path for people in positions of power. But we do not live in a perfect world.

 

[JustaPewFiller]

We shouldn’t. It takes no great talent to pad one’s own coffers. .......

Well, you have to admit, some folks are a lot better at it than others though.

 

[Michie]

Well, you have to admit, some folks are a lot better at it than others though.

I reckon so.

 

[Akita Suggagaki]

As the old saying goes, follow the money. Follow the data. The elite have been excellent stewards of making things better for themselves. They haven't really passed on that "making things better" to the rank and file either as the data shows.

Unfortunately, this administration is diminishing access to data of all kinds.

Google Search