One picture tells the whole story. The young man who has gained eight A grades at A level is being held aloft on the shoulders of (strong) companions. He, his achievement, is being celebrated. Elitism, if it is about the celebration, about the encouragement, of outcomes which are confined to a few, to a few indeed, was on display. The other young people in the picture were all cheering. (Yes, yes I know about the taking of pictures for use in newspapers.)
Elitism allows us to label a pattern of behaviour. It is a pattern which celebrates, which encourages high-scoring outcomes. A school or a college may choose to admit only those applicants whose records indicate that they will achieve the expected high-scoring outcomes. Low-scorers should try elsewhere. A bridge club, keen to sustain its position is reputation as a club where the standard of play is high, compared to the competing clubs, will test all applicants.
I don't think we have a word which expresses the opposite of elitism. So let me coin one: commonism. From time to time committee members in a local bridge club extol the friendliness of the club. It so happens that, in one member's view, the emphasis on friendlinss inhibits any attempt to raise the standard of play. We are a friendly club, open to all. Implicit commonism rules. (As a result, the members are less able to play elsewhere then they would be if improvement was sought and celebrated.)
Elitism, the celebration of high-level outcomes - remember those eight A grades, will favour those who can be expected to achieve those outcomes. The lower the expectations which attach to a person the more likely the person must seek a fortune elsewhere. Choissez votre jardin.
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