Elitism is the belief or attitude that individuals who form an elite—a select group of people with a certain ancestry, intrinsic quality, high intellect, wealth, or specialized training—are more likely to be constructive to society as a whole, and therefore deserve influence or authority greater than that of others. This ideology often leads to social stratification and can perpetuate systemic inequalities by prioritizing the interests and perspectives of this elite group over those of the general population.