The People, the Masses, and the Educated Elite; or, Democracy in the Age of the Internet

Abstract

One key puzzle of our moment is how economic elites of modern neoliberal states have come to be the people’s champions while educated citizens are labelled the new elites putatively against them. This chapter means to shed light on, and correct, this shift in perception. Part I sets the context with the contemporary challenges that brought us to this pass. Part II asks how liberal democracy—informed citizens working toward a freer, more just world—came to be replaced by democracy as mere self-interest. Part III summarizes Michael Sandel’s theory of elitism in The Tyranny of Merit (2020) and his solutions for repairing the division between populists and elites. Part IV argues that despite much truth in Sandel’s critique, the educated elite is more a media meme formulated intentionally to silence liberals and incite conflict. Part V provides 9 theses for a viable democracy in the age of the internet.