Universities elitism?

[Pavlos]

I can't speak to the accuracy of these statements, since they're second-hand, but it kind of sounds like what you were describing here.

 

_EW_

Yup. The Labour government began to deconstruct the grammar school system in the '60s, I think. There was a time when they viewed it as a wonderful tool for social mobility but the views of a party change, I suppose.

 

Some areas of the UK still have grammar schools but the 11+ (the entrance exam) has changed into an assessment of how well-off you are and whether or not you can afford a tutor to trick the exam rather than something which determines whether or not you have the potential to go far in academia. I guess that's why the then-left wing Labour party opposed them; it's a barrier to social mobility, not an enabler of it.

[Arcesious]

IMO, Elitism is a very good principle, when used correctly. As I see it, it is a demand for excellence. And how is excellence a bad thing, after all? Being 'elite', IMO, is a great thing. A person elite in a career or area of expertise is often a great benefit to society. Encouragement and training of being the best you can be, IE, an 'elitist', is much more contributive to society than what one with average expertise in the same area could provide. Elitism is efficient, and if there's anything the world needs; it needs to be more efficient. The more smart, hard workers we have, the better.