Look up elite, élite in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

Elite (also spelled Élite) is taken from the Latin, eligere, "to elect". In sociology as in general usage, the élite is a relatively small dominant group within a larger society, which enjoys a privileged status which is upheld by individuals of lower social status within the structure of a group. When applied to an individual, as in the phrase "many elites come from this squad," the usage quite economically both refers to an individual within that class and establishes the speaker as non-elite. Look up Elite, élite, elite in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Wiktionary (a portmanteau of wiki and dictionary) is a multilingual, Web-based project to create a free content dictionary, available in over 150 languages. ... Sociology (from Latin: socius, companion; and the suffix -ology, the study of, from Greek λόγος, lógos, knowledge [1]) is the systematic and scientific study of society, including patterns of social relationships, social action, and culture[2]. Areas studied in sociology can range from the analysis of brief contacts between anonymous... In sociology, a group is usually defined as a collection of humans or animals, who share certain characteristics, interact with one another, accept expectations and obligations as members of the group, and share a common identity. ...

An elite is the result of economic and political forces within a social structure. Upon formation, societies have always had the tendency to stratify due to a combination of politics and ability. The position of an elite at the top of the social strata almost invariably puts it in a position of leadership and often subjects the holders of elite status to pressure to maintain their position as part of the elite. However, in spite of the pressures borne by its members, the existence of the elite as a social stratum is usually unchanged.

Religious elite

In religion the Latin form "elect" is preferred over the French form "elite" in discussing Cathar or Calvinist theology, for examples, and the social structure that is theologically driven. Other religious groups may use expressions like "the saints" to describe the elect. It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Catharism. ... In an unadorned church, the 17th century congregation stands to hear the sermon. ... For other uses, see Saint (disambiguation). ...

Perhaps the most globally recognized of all religious elite reside in Rome: the Pope and the Vatican Assembly. While it is true that the Pope is elected by the college of Cardinals, the cardinals who vote for him are appointed by prior papal decrees. The Pope is himself chosen from among the college of Cardinals. Once elected, the Pope is in "office" for the remainder of his life.

Linguistic elite

Some elite groups speak a language that is not shared by the commonality: in Tsarist Russia and in Vietnam the elite spoke French, in the Philippines the elite spoke, and in many cases still speak, Spanish. In Plantagenet England the elite spoke Anglo-Norman, while Finland was ruled by a Swedish-speaking elite up to the beginning of the 20^th century (though the Swedish-speaking fraction of the population still enjoys a privileged status) and in Ptolemaic Egypt the elite spoke Koine Greek. In ancient India Sanskrit was spoken by elite class. (See linguistic imperialism.) Elites establish correct usage for the language when they share one with the commonality. Elite usage is reflected in "prescriptive" dictionaries; common usage is reflected in "descriptive" dictionaries. Elites establish cultural canons, which are more widely agreed-upon within the elite and more generally ignored or resented among the non-elite. In the 1950s, the British elite spoke what linguists of the time called U English. Росси́йская Импе́рия, (also Imperial Russia) covers the period of Russian history from the expansion of Russia under Peter the Great into the Russian Empire stretching from the Baltic to the Pacific Ocean, to... Angevin is the name applied to two distinct medieval dynasties which originated as counts (from 1360, dukes) of the western French province of Anjou (of which angevin is the adjectival form), but later came to rule far greater areas including England, Hungary and Poland (see Angevin Empire). ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... The Ptolemaic dynasty in Egypt began following Alexander the Greats conquest in 332 BC and ended with the death of Cleopatra VII and the Roman conquest in 30 BC. It was founded when Ptolemy I Soter declared himself Pharaoh of Egypt, creating a powerful Hellenistic state from southern Syria... The literal meaning of the Greek word koine (κοινή) is common. It is used in several senses: Koiné Greek (Κοινή Ἑλληνική), a Greek dialect that developed from the Attic dialect (of Athens) and became the spoken language of Greece at the time of the Empire of Alexander the Great. ... The theory of Linguistic imperialism has since the early 1990s attracted the attention among scholars in the field of English applied linguistics, particularly since the publication of Robert Phillipsons influential book Linguistic Imperialism, which led to considerable disputes about the merits and shortcomings of the theory. ... In linguistics, prescription is the laying down or prescribing of normative rules for the use of a language. ... U and non-U English usage, with U standing for upper class, and non-U representing the rest, were part of the terminology of popular discourse of social dialects (sociolects) in 1950s Britain and the northeast United States. ...

Political elite

Political elites play a more important role in contemporary societies than any other category of elites. Their recruitment and socialization processes have been discussed in hundreds of academic books. But, the concept of political elites is challenged because many citizens believe that politicians don't constitute a true elite. Recent surveys have demonstrated that in most countries in the world, including many European countries, and particularly in old democracies like Great Britain and France, most people don't trust most politicians, who appear as discredited in many surveys done throughout the last two or three decades (Mattei Dogan Ed., Political Mistrust and the Discrediting of Politicians, Brill, 2005).

Business elite

Elite advantages are the usual ones of a dominant social class: easier access to capital and political power, more rigorous education largely free of indoctrination, resulting in cultural influence, and leadership. Social class refers to the hierarchical distinctions between individuals or groups in societies or cultures. ... Not to be confused with capitol. ... Much of the recent sociological debate on power revolves around the issue of the constraining and/or enabling nature of power. ... Indoctrination is the process of inculcating ideas, attitudes, cognitive strategies or a professional methodology. ... For other uses, see Culture (disambiguation). ... Leader redirects here. ...

Elites may justify their existence based on claims of inherited position; with the rise in authority of science, certain 19th and 20th century elites have embraced pseudoscientific justifications of genetic or racial superiority. In Nazi Germany, genetic superiority was used as the basis of an imagined "Aryan" elite. Elite classes headed by monarchies have traditionally employed religious sanctions for their position. A typical 18th century phrenology chart. ... For other uses, see Gene (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Race (disambiguation). ... Nazi Germany, or the Third Reich, commonly refers to Germany in the years 1933–1945, when it was under the firm control of the totalitarian and fascist ideology of the Nazi Party, with the Führer Adolf Hitler as dictator. ... Aryan (/eÉ™rjÉ™n/ or /ɑːrjÉ™n/, Sanskrit: ) is a Sanskrit and Avestan word meaning noble/spiritual one. ... For the documentary series, see Monarchy (TV series). ...

Meritocracy is a facet of society that tries to promote merit as a route to the elite. Societies such as that of the United States have it in their culture to promote such a facet [see Horatio Alger]. However, while it tends to be imperfect it sheds light as to what many believe to be the "ideal" elite: an elite that is porous and whose members have earned their position as society's top class. This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... Horatio Alger, Jr. ...

Aristocracy and oligarchy are social systems which feature an elite as the ruling class. An elite group, ranged round the alpha male, is a distinct feature of other closely-related social primates. Aristocrat redirects here. ... Forms of government Part of the Politics series Politics Portal This box:      Oligarchy (Greek , Oligarkhía) is a form of government where political power effectively rests with a small elite segment of society (whether distinguished by wealth, family or military powers). ... An alpha male or alpha female is the individual in the community to whom the others follow and defer. ... Families 15, See classification A primate is any member of the biological order Primates, the group that contains all the species commonly related to the lemurs, monkeys, and apes, with the latter category including humans. ...

Educational elite

Students of the École Polytechnique an elite institution that has provided generals, scientists, engineers, civil servants, industrialists and politicians in the service of the French state.

Elites are educated to govern. While common public education is often designed to educate the general population to produce knowledgeable and skilled citizens, the elite approach to education is often presented at a more intellectual and demanding level, and is geared to produce leaders of a sort. It can be idealised as an education geared to producing an individual capable of thinking at an intellectual level more advanced than the general population, consisting of diverse philosophical ideals and theories in order to enable the elite to logically evaluate situations. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1268x608, 173 KB) students from the École Polytechnique, near Paris, France, in full dress uniform taken during May 8, 2005 celebrations on the Champs-Élysées, Paris Copyright © 2005 David Monniaux File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1268x608, 173 KB) students from the École Polytechnique, near Paris, France, in full dress uniform taken during May 8, 2005 celebrations on the Champs-Élysées, Paris Copyright © 2005 David Monniaux File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link... For other Écoles Polytechniques, see École Polytechnique de Montréal and École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne. ...

However in some systems, such as that of the Scholar-bureaucrats that administered China for 1300 years, elite education is used to select and skim off the most able students regardless of class or financial background. In order to pass these Imperial examinations, students had to be versed in the Confucian classics and neo-Confucian commentaries, creating a cohesive and socially homogenous scholar-gentry. This co-opted into its service those who would have potentially been the most dangerous to the state and left would be malcontents either leaderless or those it did have uneducated.^** As an avenue to political power, the examination system became inccreasingly corrupted, with political connections and loyalty to the regime becoming as important as outright ability. The cultural legacy of this policy can still be found in the selection for the elite Chinese Universities to this day. Elite universities, through a process of indoctrination of a common heritage, ethos and promise of preferred advancement, creates a loyal administrative/ruling elite for the service of the state. Such a system of selection for elite education can be seen even in the Western tradition, for example the Catholic Church in medieval Europe and Napoleon's Grandes écoles. Scholar-bureaucrats or scholar-officials were civil servants appointed by the emperor of China to perform day-to-day governance during the Qing Dynasty. ... The imperial examinations (Chinese: 科舉; Pinyin: ) in dynastic China determined positions in the civil service based on merit and education, which promoted upward mobility among the population for centuries. ... Homogenization (or homogenisation) is a term used in many fields such as Chemistry, agricultural science, food technology, sociology and cell biology. ... The Peoples Republic of China has a nationwide system of public education, which includes primary schools, middle schools (lower and upper), and universities. ... For the film released in 2004, see Grande École (film). ...

Financial elite

Wealth isn't a sure sign of elite status, as the "new rich" are frequently seen as arriving from non-elite positions. Neither does an elite necessarily show a sense of public obligation (see noblesse oblige). In French, noblesse oblige means, literally, nobility obliges. // Noblesse oblige is generally used to imply that with wealth, power, and prestige come social responsibilities. ...

Military

A military elite is a unit of soldiers or recruits picked for their competence and put in a special elite unit. Elite units enjoy some benefits as compared to other units, at least in the form of higher status, but often also higher pay and better equipment. Napoléon's Imperial Guard would be a good example. Note that the word elite in the military sense is fundamentally different from most other uses of the term. A social or societal elite has usually not been picked by anyone except themselves and do not necessarily make part of the elite due to their competence. Military elite units do not exercise any special leadership over other units. In the societal and social sense of the word, the elite of the army is the officer corps, not the elite units. Grognard of the Old Guard in 1813 The Imperial Guard (French:Garde impériale) was originally a small group of elite soldiers of the French Army under the direct command of Napoleon I, but grew considerably over time. ...

Elite military

In the military community, it is not considered good resource management to create elite units that are expected to do the same things as a regular military unit only better, as opposed to special forces that are expected to do other things than regular soldiers. Critics argue that it creates a negative "second class soldier" feeling among the regular units; for example the grenadier and light infantry companies of the 18th and 19th century British Army. Such companies had both a weakening and demoralising effect on the other soldiers of their parent battalions, especially when these companies were detached from a number of battalions and grouped together to form ad hoc grenadier and light infantry battalions. It is also argued that an especially competent soldier does more good as an NCO or as just the man who sets a good inspiring example for his comrades. A Grenadier (French for Grenademan) was originally a specialized assault soldier for siege operations, first established as a distinct role in the mid to late 17th century. ... Traditionally light infantry (or skirmishers) were soldiers whose job was to provide a skirmishing screen ahead of the main body of infantry, harassing and delaying the enemy advance. ... The British Army is the land armed forces branch of the British Armed Forces. ... Symbol of the Austrian 14th Armoured Battalion in NATO military graphic symbols This article is about the military unit. ... Ad hoc is a Latin phrase which means for this [purpose]. It generally signifies a solution that has been tailored to a specific purpose, such as a tailor-made suit, a handcrafted network protocol, and specific-purpose equation and things like that. ... The Light Infantry is an infantry regiment of the British Army, part of the Light Division. ...

However, most nations will maintain elite military forces for the purposes of Power projection and for the purposes of expeditionary warfare. The limiting factor in such operations is usually the availability of airlift and sealift assets, rather than manpower, first to get forces in theatre and then to sustain these forces with stores and supplies e.g. Britain in the Falklands War. Such amphibious and airborne forces, usually operating with minimal armor, artillery and logistics support will normally face enemies with superior numbers, prepared positions and interior lines of communications. Under such circumstances the additional effort and cost needed for the selection, training, indoctrination and equipping of elite formations is not only worthwhile, but essential for success. USS , and HMS Illustrious, two aircraft carriers on a joint patrol. ... There are two types of airlifts in the military, strategic and tactical. ... The USNS Bob Hope, a non-combatant vessel crewed by civilian mariners under the United States Navys Military Sealift Command, is used to preposition tanks, trucks and other wheeled vehicles and supplies needed to support an Army heavy brigade. ... Combatants Argentina United Kingdom Commanders President Leopoldo Galtieri Vice-Admiral Juan Lombardo Brigadier-General Ernesto Crespo Brigade-General Mario Menéndez Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher Admiral Sir John Fieldhouse Rear-Admiral John “Sandy” Woodward Major-General Jeremy Moore Casualties 649 killed 1,068 wounded 11,313 taken prisoner 75 fixed... It has been suggested that Landing operation be merged into this article or section. ... Airborne Military parachuting form of insertion. ... This article is about the armoured fighting vehicle. ... For other uses, see Artillery (disambiguation). ... Look up Logistics in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

Historically at times of military and technological change it would have been impossible financially to re-equip the entire army with new weapons at the same time. To maximize the benefit of new weapons, elite units may be formed, who would be superior to the regular troops because of both the new weapons and additional training and expectations. For example, in the British Army the Rifle Regiments were armed with rifles when the rest of the army was equipped with muskets; before them the Fusiliers were the first to be armed with flintlocks when the line units had matchlocks. Armies going through change may need formations familiar with new concepts and doctrines to act in the familiarization and adversary training roles. Such units will naturally perform better than their students; e.g. historically the Panzerlehrdivision and currently the U.S. 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. The Royal Green Jackets (RGJ) is an infantry regiment of the British Army, one of two within the Light Division (the other being The Light Infantry). ... The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers is an infantry regiment of the British Army, part of the Queens Division. ... The Panzerlehrdivision (also called Panzer-Lehr-Division), commonly known as Panzer Lehr, was a German armored division during World War II, one of the most élite units in the entire German army. ... The 11th ACR is an armored cavalry regiment of the United States Army which is garrisoned at Fort Irwin, California. ...

Occasionally a military formation rises quite unplanned to become an especially competent military unit. While raised, organized, equipped and using the same operational procedures as its peers a confluence of events, personalities and circumstances create traditions, reputations and an esprit de corps that reinforce each other to lift such units above those peers. Such formations include the original 51st Highland division and the original Desert rats. Esprit de Corps might refer to: Esprit de Corps - state of mind, Morale. ... The British 51st (Highland) Division was a Territorial Force division that fought on the Western Front in France during the First World War. ... The 7th Armoured Division (known as the Desert Rats) of the British Army was the most famous unit of its type in British service during World War II. It was a regular division in the Middle East, designated the Mobile Division at first, renamed the Armoured Division (Egypt) in September...

In these two cases it can be argued that units with more modern weapons or units that just happen to be better than others are strictly speaking not elite units since they do not consist of individuals picked for especially high competence. However, sometimes the words "elite unit" are somewhat sloppily used to simply imply "unit that is better than other".

Politically elite military

Historically many elite forces have been created and maintained as much for political reasons as for military ones. The leaders feel they need something more politically reliable than ordinary units and create elite units, hoping that the privileges, the extra political indoctrination that such elite forces are typically given and the pride in belonging to an elite will make them more loyal. The Waffen-SS is an atypical example of such a force evolving as it did into a war fighting force. Waffen-SS recruitment poster; Volunteer to the Waffen-SS The Waffen-SS was the armed wing of the Schutzstaffel. ...

Typically since the days before the Praetorian Guards such forces have been used as a loyal and militarily competent counterweight to the nations other military forces, to protect the incumbent leadership from coups and putches. For example Saddam Hussein had the Iraqi Republican Guard to keep the normal military in check and the Iraqi Special Republican Guard to keep an eye on the Republican Guard. In Moscow the old Soviet Union used a trinity of elite formations, each carefully balanced with strengths and weaknesses compared to the others, to keep each other in check and to prevent the others from seizing power, MVD Internal Troops (lightly equipped, but experienced from internal security missions, with a reputation of ruthlessness and brutality), KGB Kremlin Guard Force (well trained, led and disciplined but lacking in supporting arms), and elite Red Army Guards units (best equipped, but reliant on conscripts). Such arrangements, though not to the same paranoid extremes shown by the Soviets, are common in non democratic regimes, especially those where the leadership's rise to power relied on military force. The Praetorian Guard of Augustus - 1st century. ... Iraqi President Saddam Hussein talks with elite Republican Guard officers in Baghdad on March 1, 2003. ... The Special Republican Guard was formed from the Iraqi Republican Guard founded in either 1992 or 1995 in the nation of Iraq. ... Internal Troops (full name Internal Troops of the MVD), now called the Federal Guard are the 250,000 strong uniformed military mobile force of the Russian security forces (MVD) and are used to deal with major disturbances and internal security matters. ... This article is about the KGB of the Soviet Union. ... For other organizations known as the Red Army, see Red Army (disambiguation). ...

The following descriptions of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps can be seen as typical of the formation, evolution and continued raison d'Êtres of such organisations. This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Look up raison dêtre in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

...From the beginning of the new Islamic regime, the Pasdaran functioned as a corps of the faithful. Its role in national security evolved from securing the regime and eliminating opposition forces to becoming a branch of the military establishment...

.....the Pasdaran, whose independent military power acted as a check on any possible coup attempts by the armed forces..... Despite the need for military support, however, the revolutionary regime continued to exercise tight control over the armed forces and to regard them with some suspicion...

....the Pasdaran, under the guidance of such clerics as Lahuti and Hashemi-Rafsanjani, was also "to act as the eyes and ears of the Islamic Revolution" and "as a special task force of the Imam Khomeini to crush any counterrevolutionary activities within the government or any political usurper against the Islamic Government." Over the years the IRP's leadership used the Pasdaran to eliminate opposition figures and to enhance its own position. Using the Pasdaran as a springboard to more important positions, Pasdaran leaders could always obtain access to the Revolutionary Council and Khomeini. For example, President Khamenehi and Majlis speaker Hashemi-Rafsanjani were both former commanders of the Pasdaran. Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani (Persian: اکبر هاشمی رفسنجانی Akbar HāshemÄ« RafanjānÄ«), Hashemi Bahramani (هاشمی بهرمانی) born on August 25, 1934, is an influential Iranian politician, and is currently serving as the Chairman of the Expediency Discernment Council of Iran. ... After Islamic Conquest  Modern SSR = Soviet Socialist Republic Afghanistan  Azerbaijan  Bahrain  Iran  Iraq  Tajikistan  Uzbekistan  This box:      The Iranian Revolution (also known as the Islamic Revolution,[1][2][3][4][5][6] Persian: انقلاب اسلامی, Enghelābe Eslāmi) was the revolution that transformed Iran from a monarchy under Shah Mohammad Reza... Grand Ayatullah Sayid Ruhullah Musawi Khomeini ( ) (Persian: RÅ«ullāh MÅ«sawÄ« KhumaynÄ« (September 21, 1900 [1]– June 3, 1989) was a senior Shi`i Muslim cleric, Islamic philosopher and marja (religious authority), and the political leader of the 1979 Iranian Revolution which saw the overthrow of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi... A counterrevolutionary is anyone who opposes a revolution, particularly those who act after a revolution to try to overturn or reverse it, in full or in part. ... The Islamic Republic Party (حزب جمهوری اسلامی) was a political party in Iran, founded in 1979 by Mohammad Javad Bahonar, Mohammad Beheshti, Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, Ali Khamenei, and Abdolkarim Mousavi-Ardabili, and included several supporters of the Islamic Republic government of Iran. ... The Interim Government of Iran (1979-1980) was the first government established in Iran after the Islamic Revolution. ... Grand Âyatollâh   (Persian: آیت‌الله سید علی حسینی کس ننه ای Ä€yatollāh Seyyed `AlÄ« ḤoseynÄ« KhāmeneÄ«) (born 17 July 1939), also known as Seyyed Ali Khamenei,[1] is the current Supreme Leader of Iran and was the president of Iran from 1981 to 1989. ... Image:DSC--Majlis5323. ...

Library of Congress Country Studies, Iran, Special and Irregular Armed Forces.

Such forces may become little more than social clubs for the societal elites and those seeking advancement through the political system, capable only of bullying unarmed civilians and intimidating the regular military, often failing militarily when tested, e.g. Iraq's Republican Guard. At their worst such forces become an established political caste selfishly guarding and promoting its own privileges and interests, to the point of becoming kingmakers. For example the Praetorians infamously auctioning off the Empire to the highest bidder, the Streltsy first supporting and then trying to depose Peter the Great, and the Janissaries deposing and installing Ottoman Emperors in the 18th Century. Kingmaker refers to a person or group that has great influence in a royal succession, without being a viable candidate. ... Streltsy (Стрельцы in Russian) were the units of Russian guardsmen (sl. ... Peter I Emperor and Autocrat of All Russia Peter I (Pyotr Alekseyvich) (9 June 1672–8 February 1725 [30 May 1672–28 January 1725 O.S.1]) ruled Russia from 7 May (27 April O.S.) 1682 until his death. ... The Janissaries (derives from Ottoman Turkish: يكيچرى (yeniçeri) meaning new soldier) comprised infantry units that formed the Ottoman sultans household troops and bodyguard. ... Ottoman redirects here. ...

Elites in the military

Socially and miltarily elite HRH Prince Charles, Colonel-in-chief of the Parachute Regiment.

For many years the British Army, together with the Church, was seen as the ideal career for the younger sons of the Aristocracy, those who would not inherit their fathers' titles or estates. Although now much diminished the practice has not totally disappeared, the slang term 'Rupert' being used to describe such blue-blooded, usually British public school educated, officers. Such practices are not unique to the British either geographically or historically. Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 481 pixelsFull resolution‎ (3,008 × 1,808 pixels, file size: 345 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Source: [1] File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 481 pixelsFull resolution‎ (3,008 × 1,808 pixels, file size: 345 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Source: [1] File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that time. ... “Prince Charles” redirects here. ... In the British and other Commonwealth armies, the Colonel-in-Chief of a regiment is its (usually Royal) patron. ... The Parachute Regiment redirects here, for the Indian regiment, see The Parachute Regiment (India) The Parachute Regiment is the Airborne Infantry element of the British Army. ...

The military has always been seen as a means by societal elites to acquire wealth, prestige and power, for example Julius Caesar. Even in modern democracies there are those who aspire to political power who see a few years in military service, preferably away from any actual fighting, as being essential to a political resume. For other uses, see Julius Caesar (disambiguation). ...

As a very practical form of displaying patriotism it has been at times "fashionable" for "gentlemen" to participate in the military, usually the militia, to fulfill societal expectations. It has been said that the title "Colonel" was the ultimate fashion accessory for a Southern gentleman. Modern definition The states in dark red are almost always included in modern day definitions of the South, while those in medium red are usually included. ...

See also

Historical:

• Hwarang
• Persian Immortals
• Companion cavalry
• Sacred Band of Carthage
• Sacred Band of Thebes
• Housecarl
• Swiss Guards
• Ever Victorious Army
• Jaguar Warrior

Modern: The Hwarang were an elite group of male youth in Silla, an ancient Korean kingdom that lasted until the 10th century. ... A Persian Immortal wielding a spear, wicker shield, dagger, and bow. ... The Companions (Greek Εταίροι) were Alexander the Greats elite cavalry, the main offensive arm of his army, and also his elite guard. ... The Sacred Band of Carthage was the elite military force guarding the city of Carthage itself. ... The Sacred Band of Thebes (ancient Greek: ) was a troop of picked soldiers, numbering 150 age-structured which formed the elite force of the Theban army in the 4th century BC.[1] It was organized by the Theban commander Gorgidas in 378 BC and it played a crucial role in... Housecarls were household troops, personal warriors and equivalent to a royal bodyguard to Scandinavian lords and kings. ... Swiss Guards have been Swiss who fought for various European powers from the 15th century until the 19th century, called up from the separate Swiss cantons and placed at the disposal of various foreign powers by treaties (the capitulations), in return for money payments. ... Charles Chinese Gordon, the most famous commander of the Ever Victorious Army The Ever Victorious Army (Chinese: 常勝軍; pinyin: ; Wade-Giles: Chang-Sheng Chün) was the name given to an imperial army in late-19th century China. ... Aztec jaguar warrior Jaguar warriors (Classical Nahuatl: ocēlōtl) were certain members of the Aztec army that were professional soldiers. ...

• United States
  • United States Marine Corps
  • United States Special Forces
  • U.S. 101st Airborne Division
  • U.S. 82nd Airborne Division
  • U.S. 173rd Airborne Brigade
  • U.S. 10th Mountain Division
  • United States Army Rangers
  • United States Navy SEALs
• Russia
  • Russian Naval Infantry
  • Russian Airborne Troops
• United Kingdom
  • UK Special Forces
  • 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines
  • Household Division
  • The Parachute Regiment
  • British 7th Armoured Brigade
• France
  • French Foreign Legion
• The Netherlands
  • Royal Netherlands Marine Corps
• Spain
  • Spanish Legion

Politically Elite Military: The United States Marine Corps (USMC) is a branch of the United States military responsible for providing power projection from the sea,[1] utilizing the mobility of the U.S. Navy to rapidly deliver combined-arms task forces. ... The United States Special Operations Forces is the official category where the U.S. Department of Defense lists the U.S. military units that have a training specialization in unconventional warfare and special operations. ... Shoulder sleeve patch of the United States Army 101st Airborne Division, the Screaming Eagles. ... The 82nd Airborne Division of the United States Army was constituted in the National Army as the 82nd Division on August 5, 1917, and was organized on August 25, 1917, at Camp Gordon, Georgia. ... The United States 173d Airborne Brigade serves in Vicenza, Italy. ... The 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) is a light infantry division of the United States Army currently serving under the XVIII Airborne Corps. ... The 75th Ranger Regiment—also known as the United States Army Rangers—is an elite light infantry special operations force of the United States Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) headquartered in Fort Benning, Georgia. ... Navy SEALs redirects here. ... Russian Marines emblem and slogan Naval Infantry of Russia: Victory follows us! The Russian Marines, perhaps better translated as the Russian Naval Infantry, (Russian: Морская пехота ) are an elite force of the Russian Armed Forces. ... VDV flag. ... The United Kingdom Special Forces (UKSF) is an umbrella directorate overseeing the Special Forces units of the British Armed Forces. ... 3 Commando Brigade is the main manoeuvre force of the British Royal Marines. ... Household Division is a term used principally in the Commonwealth of Nations to describe a grouping of a country’s most elite or historically senior military units, or those military units that provide ceremonial or protective functions associated directly with the Head of state. ... The Parachute Regiment redirects here, for the Indian regiment, see The Parachute Regiment (India) The Parachute Regiment is the Airborne Infantry element of the British Army. ... The 7th Armoured Brigade is a unit of the British Army. ... Legionnaire redirects here. ... Motto: Je Maintiendrai (Dutch: Ik zal handhaven, English: I Shall Uphold) Anthem: Wilhelmus van Nassouwe Capital Amsterdam1 Largest city Amsterdam Official language(s) Dutch2 Government Parliamentary democracy Constitutional monarchy  - Queen Beatrix  - Prime minister Jan Peter Balkenende Independence Eighty Years War   - Declared July 26, 1581   - Recognised January 30, 1648 (by Spain... Wikipedia does not yet have an article with this exact name. ... The Spanish Legion (Spanish: Legión Española or simply La Legión), formerly Spanish Foreign Legion, is an elite unit of the Spanish Army. ...

• Schutzstaffel
• Blackshirts
• Saudi Arabian National Guard
• Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps
• Securitate Directorate for Security

Fictional: SS redirects here. ... For the University of Nebraska–Lincoln football teams defense, see Blackshirts (football). ... The Saudi Arabian National Guard or SANG (aka White Army) is one of five branches or services of the Saudi Arabian Defence Forces/military. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... The Securitate (Romanian for Security; official full name Departamentul Securităţii Statului, State Security Department), was the secret police force of Communist Romania. ...

• Emperor's Royal Guard and Dark Troopers from Star Wars
• Covenant Elite a fictional alien race in the video games Halo: Combat Evolved, Halo 2, Halo 3, and Halo Wars
• Shi'ar Imperial Guard from the X-men
• the superhuman Space Marines and even more elite Adeptus Custodes from Warhammer 40,000
• the 4518th Lift Infantry Regiment [Star Marines] from Traveller
• Dark Templar and Terran Ghosts in Starcraft 1 and 2.
• Nod Black Hand and GDI Commando in Command and Conquer series.
• Cybertronian Defence team of Transformers Cybertron. Wing Saber and Jetfire are also elite troopers of the Autobots.

Fanatically loyal, the Guardsmen protect the former Supreme Chancellor turned Galactic Emperor and his personal residences unceasingly In the fictional Star Wars universe, the Emperors Royal Guard (a. ... A Dark Trooper. ... A Covenant Elite from Halo: Combat Evolved. ... Halo: Combat Evolved, or simply Halo, is a video game in the first-person shooter (FPS) genre, created by the Microsoft-owned Bungie Studios. ... This article is about the video game. ... For the Nine Inch Nails release, see Head Like a Hole. ... Halo Wars is an upcoming real-time strategy video game that will place in the fictional Halo universe. ... The Imperial Guard is a team of fictional super-powered alien warriors in the Marvel Comics universe. ... Space marines are fictional soldiers that operate in outer space. ... The Custodian Guard, otherwise known as the Adeptes Custodes, are the Emperor of Mankinds personal guardians in the fictional universe of Warhammer 40,000. ... A traveller (American English traveler) is a person or an object travelling between two or more locations. ... Transformers: Cybertron (Transformers: Galaxy Force in Japan) was the 2005-2006 Transformers toyline and animated series, another co-production between Hasbro and Takara. ... Wing Saber is the name of a fictional character in the various Transformers: Universe. ...

Elitism

In elite theory as developed by Marxist political scientists like Michael Parenti, all sufficiently large social groups will have some kind of elite group within them that actively participates in the group's political dynamics. When a group is arbitrarily excluded from the larger society, such as in the case of the racism that was widespread in the United States prior to the success of the American Civil Rights Movement, then elite members of the excluded group may form a counter-elite to fight for their group's interests (although they may be fighting for those interests only to the extent they mesh with the counter-elite's interests). Of course, the dominant elite can neutralize the counter-elite through the classic divide-and-conquer strategy of admitting key members of the counter-elite into the elite. Elite theory is a theory of the state which seeks to describe and explain the power relationships in modern society. ... Michael Parenti (born 1933) is an American political scientist, historian, and media critic. ... Manifestations Slavery Racial profiling Lynching Hate speech Hate crime Genocide (examples) Ethnocide Ethnic cleansing Pogrom Race war Religious persecution Gay bashing Blood libel Paternalism Police brutality Movements Policies Discriminatory Race / Religion / Sex segregation Apartheid Redlining Internment Anti-discriminatory Emancipation Civil rights Desegregation Integration Equal opportunity Counter-discriminatory Affirmative action Racial... Martin Luther King is perhaps most famous for his I Have a Dream speech, given in front of the Lincoln Memorial during the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom This article is about the civil rights movement following the Brown v. ...

Elitism usually draws envy and resentment from the lower classes and the counter-elite. There are cases where elites arguably use this resentment of an elite to maintain their position. See Communism. Elitism is the belief or attitude that the people who are considered to be the elite — a selected group of persons with outstanding personal abilities, wealth, specialised training or experience, or other distinctive attributes — are the people whose views on a matter are to be taken the most seriously, or... This article is about the form of society and political movement. ...

Further reading

• Daniel Golden, The Price of Admission: How America's Ruling Class Buys Its Way Into Elite Colleges--And Who Gets Left Outside the Gates, Crown Publishers, 2006, ISBN 1400097967
• R. S. Rose, The Unpast: Elite Violence and Social Control in Brazil, 1954-2000, Ohio University Press 2006, ISBN 0896802434

See also

• Power Elite
• Sociology of education
• Boston Brahmin
• Brahmin
• Elitism
• Mandarin
• Patrician
• Snob
• Leet (1337)
• Sangheili Elites of Bungie's Videogame, Halo

A Power Elite, in political and sociological theory, is a small group of people who control a disproportionate amount of the means of production and access to decision-makers in a political system. ... The sociology of education is the study of how social institutions and individual experiences affect educational processes and outcomes. ... Boston Brahmins, also called the First Families of Boston, are the class of New Englanders who claim hereditary and cultural descent from the English Protestants who founded the city of Boston, Massachusetts and settled New England. ... The term Brahmin denotes both a member of the priestly class in the Hindu varna system, and a member of the highest caste in the caste system of Hindu society. ... Elitism is the belief or attitude that the people who are considered to be the elite — a selected group of persons with outstanding personal abilities, wealth, specialised training or experience, or other distinctive attributes — are the people whose views on a matter are to be taken the most seriously, or... A Mandarin was a bureaucrat in imperial China. ... This article is about the social and political class in ancient Rome. ... For the 1960s British Rock band, see The Snobs. ... This article does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Sangheili (the proper name and commonly known as Elite) is a fictional race in the video games Halo and Halo 2. ...

External links

• Video's and Info

Supplementary

• ^**See Li Zicheng who was able to overthrow a dynasty, but was neither himself educated enough or had followers able enough to rule and administer a dynasty.