Meaning of elite overproduction | Babel Free

Definitions

A situation in which there are more wealthy, well-educated, and ambitious elite individuals than can be absorbed by the existing positions of power, authority, and prestige.

uncountable

Examples

“In such cases, it may take the elites rather a long time to thin their ranks to the point where the problem of elite overproduction is abated and a new cycle can begin.”

“Just as overpopulation results in large segments of commoner population becoming immiserated, elite overproduction similarly results in large segments of elites becoming impoverished (not in absolute terms, as with common populace, but relatively to the standards of consumption needed to maintain the elite status).”

“The conflicts that we hear among local elites and in provincial cities, especially from the late first century CE onward, could well have resulted from such a situation of elite overproduction.”

CEFR level