Everyone Agrees Our Elites Are Terrible, So Why Are We Stuck with Them?

Epstein files have renewed public frustration with elites, highlighting connections between powerful figures and the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Despite widespread disdain for these elites, they remain largely unchanged in their positions of power. This raises critical questions about why these individuals are not held accountable and why there appears to be no viable alternative.

1. Release of the Epstein Files:

• The Department of Justice released over 3 million documents linked to Jeffrey Epstein, revealing deeper connections between public figures and Epstein than previously admitted.

• The troubling content of these documents has exacerbated public anger towards elites and their lack of accountability.

2. Public Discontent:

• There is a growing global consensus that current elites worsen societal issues, with significant political movements like the Occupy protests, Brexit, and the election of Donald Trump being direct responses to this discontent.

• Anger towards elites has intensified, especially following perceived government mishandling during the pandemic.

3. Elite Theory:

• The Italian Elite Theorists provide insight into why elites persist. They suggest that a small minority always rules societies, utilizing myths, fear, and nationalism to maintain control.

• Gaetano Mosca, Vilfredo Pareto, and Robert Michels highlight that elite structures are inherent in organized societies, leading to a cycling of power among different elite groups rather than a complete disappearance of them.

4. The Role of the State:

• Murray Rothbard argues that the modern state maintains a monopoly on violence, enabling elites to control populations without competition.

• This concentration of power allows elites to operate without fear of opposition or accountability.

5. Bureaucracy and Managerial Class:

• James Burnham’s theory of the managerial revolution posits that the control of society has shifted from ownership to managerial elites who govern bureaucratically.

• Bureaucracies often serve their own interests, restricting policies that may counteract those interests, regardless of public opinion.

6. A Shift in Information Control:

• Technological advancements, particularly the internet, have disrupted traditional elite information monopolies. This shift offers potential for new forms of governance and accountability.

• The ability of individuals to access and share information could diminish elite control and empower public dissent.

7. Future Outlook:

• While current trends seem bleak, there is potential for systemic change. Automation and advancements in technology may reduce the need for traditional managerial roles.

• The public's increasing awareness and ability to circumvent elite-dominated information channels presents an opportunity for reform.

The combination of a powerful state, entrenched bureaucracies, and the complex nature of elite structures contributes to the persistence of a self-serving elite. Despite the history of elite control, the emergence of new technologies and societal shifts may offer paths towards change. Instead of resigning to defeatism, this moment could energize calls for accountability and reform, reinforcing the necessity for liberty and the ability to reject ineffective elites. 

https://mises.org/mises-wire/everyone-agrees-our-elites-are-terrible-so-why-are-we-stuck-them