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The Extractive 'Elite | 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 our current 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. | |||
== Characteristics == | |||
Key features associated with the Extractive Elite include: | |||
* '''Rent-seeking and extraction''': Reliance on privileges and institutional rents rather than value creation. | |||
* '''Institutional capture''': Domination of organizations such as academia, government, and science agencies. | |||
* '''Displacement of True Elites''': Suppression or marginalization of productive, dissenting, or public-spirited elites. | |||
* '''Opacity and lack of accountability''': Preference for insider networks and avoidance of scrutiny. | |||
* '''Adaptation to stagnation''': Greater reliance on extraction under conditions of slower economic growth. | |||
* '''Narrative control''': Shaping public perceptions to entrench dominance, enforce "consensus", and suppress challengers. | |||
* '''Selective tolerance''': Offering multiple opportunities to loyalists while excluding dissenters. | |||
==On X== | ==On X== | ||