"...elitism is so embedded in Britain "that it could be called 'social engineering'".

[malaise]

http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/aug/28/closed-shop-deepy-elitist-britain
<snip>

Britain is "deeply elitist" because people educated at public school and Oxbridge have in effect created a "closed shop at the top", according to a government report published on Thursday.

The commission's 76-page report mostly focuses on analysis, but it does include recommendations, saying government, schools, universities, employers and even parents all need to play their part in promoting social diversity.

Looking at the background of more than 4,000 people filling jobs at the top of government, the civil service, the judiciary, the media, business and the creative industries, the commission investigated where they went to school, on the grounds that going to a private school is reasonably indicative of a wealthy background.

Only 7% of members of the public attended a private school. But 71% of senior judges, 62% of senior officers in the armed forces, 55% of permanent secretaries in Whitehall, 53% of senior diplomats, 50% of members of the House of Lords and 45% of public body chairs did so.

So too did 44% of people on the Sunday Times Rich List, 43% of newspaper columnists, 36% of cabinet ministers, 33% of MPs, 26% of BBC executives and 22% of shadow cabinet ministers.

Oxbridge graduates also have a stranglehold on top jobs. They comprise less than 1% of the public as a whole, but 75% of senior judges, 59% of cabinet ministers, 57% of permanent secretaries, 50% of diplomats, 47% of newspaper columnists, 44% of public body chairs, 38% of members of the House of Lords, 33% of BBC executives, 33% of shadow cabinet ministers, 24% of MPs and 12% of those on the Sunday Times Rich List.
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More at link

[clydefrand]

1. Wow, sounds like

what's happening here doesn't it?

[malaise]

2. It's actually worse

because whereas the link to power in America is closely tied to colleges and universities, in Britain it begins much earlier in 'British public (read very private) schools'.

Sociologists and Political Scientists and Economists have been presenting empirical evidence for eons but nothing changes - in fact it's getting worse.

Here's the complete study
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/347915/Elitist_Britain_-_Final.pdf

[Octafish]

3. It's that queen's fault.

She thinks she's better than everybody. Those who tell her that she is what got the good rabbits. All of them feel entitled to sit around all bloody day and do nothing.


America has its own royalty, too. These deluded fools call themselves Republicans.

[malaise]

4. Lots of truth there

You can't have all that royalty crap and upper class this and commoners that and not encourage elitism.
America has its upper class and while they would like to think they are royals, it's not true.

I do notice that what was once the people's TV station - PBS - is dominated with pro-Royal bullshit.

[Octafish]

6. Excellent observation.

While the good Mrs. Octafish and I enjoy Masterpiece this and that, the whole thing's gotten veddy veddy pro-Royal. Koch brothers are jujst the latest in a long line of mind shapers ticked that Robert Parry and FRONTLINE had the temerity to show George Bush and Bill Casey had the means, motives and opportunities to contract with the Ayatollah Khomeini on the hostage thing.

IMFO, PBS's sudden pro-royal programming is part of CIA-MOCKINGBIRD's acclimatization of the populace for the New Feudalism. Those who get with the program -- from knowing their place in the pecking order to answering the militia call for close-order drill -- will be allowed in the castle walls after dark. Those who consider themselves in opposition to the austere, if not new, way of doing things will be cast out to fend for themselves among the savage beasts on the cold prairie without a pen knife or lighter.

As a Democrat, I believe all people are created equal -- no matter the imagined color of their blood. I remember when the U.S. Government thought so, too.

[intaglio]

5. Tell me about it ...