Editing Extractive Elite (section)

The '''Extractive Elite''' is a term coined by Eric Weinstein to describe groups of so-called "elites" who derive power and privilege primarily through extraction, rent-seeking, and institutional capture rather than through productive or public-spirited contributions. The concept is contrasted with the notion of a "True Elite," who are characterized as insubordinate, scientific, sustainable, and oriented toward the public good. The Extractive Elite is also referred to as the ''Rent-seeking Elite'', ''Kleptocratic Elite'', ''Unethical Elite'', ''Anti-Elite'', ''Swamp Elite'', or ''Fake Elite''.

The Extractive Elite is defined in opposition to the public-spirited, insubordinate, sustainable, scientific, [[True Elite]], which have been driven out of and are now almost non-existent in present-day institutions. While True Elites add value to society, the Extractive Elite consolidate advantage by extracting rents, suppressing dissent, and displacing those who contribute to broader institutional or societal flourishing.