What is meant by the term “global elite?” Who are the members of the global elite, and how do they differ from the upper-class elites described in Chapter 7? Why are the global elite “not limited by borders?” In your response provide examples of members of the global elite as well as evidence to support your response.
To define the difference between global elite and the upper class we first have to know who is considered part of each class. When talking about upper-class elites we are generally talking about individuals who are wealthy but more important ones who have financial control over large businesses, financial institutions, or factories, so I would say individuals like CEOs and executives. These individual earn or obtain their wealth and statues through hard work, investments, and sometimes through inheritance. (Chambliss & Eglitis, 2016, p.161). When we define global elites we are talking about power not just economic power but also political power. These groups of people have power on a worldwide level, a transglobal class of professionals and are not limited by national borders. People within these groups are considered super rich, a small group of billionaires and are usually self-made rich versus inheriting their wealth. Examples of such individuals would be Presidents, Prime Ministers, technical innovators, corporate executives and those who control natural resources like oil. (Chambliss & Eglitis, 2016, p.198-199). The difference between global elite and upper-class is one works within borders and the other operates on a national level without borders. Also global elites have more resources and political influence over multiple countries operating without borders.
How can these global elites work through and around borders? The simple answer would be the power of the super-rich both economic and political. The global elites have the ability to influence people not just in one country but on a global level through the power and wealth they have gain over a lifetime. Example would be most world leaders or organization who have control of the oil industry. They can cause world hardship whenever they want through controlling the flow or lack of flow of oil. The king of Saudi Arabia, Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud is a good example he has the power to decide how many barrows of oil the country will produce thus controlling the price of oil. You can also see the power of this global elite could have a long last effect on the world through his control of oil production. You can also see this display of control through the global market, just look at what is currently going on with China and how they have impacted the world markets. At the end of the day global elites are able to work without borders because of the globalization and modernization of countries. Technology and industrialization also helps the global elites operate without borders. Isolation is becoming a thing of the past, this is because populations within these countries are becoming more and more socially diverse. Allowing more opportunities for advancements in technology and more access to media, thus giving way to globalization increase opportunities and growth of the global elites. (Chambliss & Eglitis, 2016)
