Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Political elites are individuals or groups that hold a disproportionate amount of political power and influence within a society. They often shape policy, public opinion, and the direction of national interests through their decisions and actions.
The set of attitudes, beliefs, and sentiments that give order and meaning to a political process and which provide the underlying assumptions that govern behavior in the political system.
Power Distribution: The way in which power is allocated or distributed among various parties and interest groups within a state or organization.
The collective preferences or views of individuals in a society about topics of public interest, which can be influenced by the media, political elites, and cultural norms