Aristocratic elites

Dwarkesh Patel extensively discusses the differences and dynamics between aristocratic and meritocratic elites in his podcasts.

1. Motivations Behind Philanthropy: Patel and Nadia Asparouhova talk about how elites use philanthropy to maintain control over various sectors like media, academia, and government. Asparouhova suggests that modern elites are motivated more by maintaining their power rather than altruistic reasons, contrasting traditional views of philanthropy as a purely altruistic endeavor 1.

2. Elite Philanthropy and Socialization: They further delve into the differences between aristocratic and meritocratic elites. Aristocratic elites inherit wealth and are socialized to think about public stewardship and their role in society. In contrast, meritocratic elites, who often come from less privileged backgrounds, lack this socialization and may be more inclined to hoard wealth. This leads to concerns about the future generations of meritocratic elites simply becoming like the aristocratic elites, inheriting wealth without a sense of public duty 2.

3. Impact of Elite Education: Patel explores how elite universities can shape the opinions and behaviors of those who attend them, contributing to a cycle where the upper class influences future elites. However, he also notes that despite these dynamics, there's a significant gap between elite and mass opinions, underpinning the complexity of elite influence 3.

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     1

     Motivations of Elites

     00:12:30
     
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     2

     Elite Philanthropy

     00:05:30
     
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     3

     Elite Influence

     00:56:12
     

These insights reflect the nuanced social and political roles of elites, differentiating between inherited and earned status and their respective impacts on society.