en. A minority group that holds a dominant political, social, economic or cultural position in a society. There are several approaches from which this concept can be addressed: 'classical elites', a concept developed by thinkers such as Vilfredo Pareto or Gaetano Mosca; 'economic elites', understood as groups that control large portions of resources; 'political elites', groups that occupy key positions within the government and the State, with executive capacity to direct the destiny of a nation; 'cultural or intellectual elites', opinion leaders who exert influence over the ideas, values and norms of a society. Typically, elites not only control resources, but also build and maintain networks of influence that allow them to remain.
