Editorial: The Paradox of the New Elite

                New York Times columnist Alexander Stille writes about in this opinion article about a rapidly rising new elite in the US, and those elites’ affects on a different social and economical America. Stille, a professor of international journalism at Columbia, wrote this on October 22^nd, 2011.

                Although America would like to think of itself as an equal nation, the truth is that there are very undemocratic conditions underlying America’s culture. This “meritocracy” is built upon those who, although certainly deserve their position, dominate today’s higher positions and signals a more inclusive US. Economic resources fall in the hands of the top 1% of the population, with more than 20% of the nation’s net income in their hands. However, while US do not have the economic stability that Europe has, it is far more inclusive than a culturally struggling Europe. Stille accounts certain factors, such as higher education, increase in immigration, and more emphasis on culture rather than class, as reasons for a changing America.

                Stille wrote this article in predominantly a spatial context, as well as a causal well given a certain situation. In terms of history and overall development, there are several references to the past, using historical information to support his editorial. For example, the mentions of the Great Depression as the only time when the top 1% owned more than 25% of the nation’ income adds significant logos to Stille’s argument. Given that he talks about the situation in a present context that is rapidly changing, this causal context is his response to an ongoing situation.

                Stille uses a lot of historical and social juxtaposition to get his purpose of opinionated awareness about the elite through to the readers of the New York Times. Historically, Stille makes constant references to the past, of how what was “elite” then isn’t necessarily “elite” today. He also juxtaposes the different uses of “cultural inclusion”, of how Martin Luther King Jrs.’s argument of equality is ironically used by conservative politicians today.

                Alexander Stille’s purpose is certainly achieved, present through his convincing logic as well as rhetoric use of historical and social juxtaposition.