Nonelites

Nonelites is a sociological and political science term that refers to individuals or groups who do not belong to the social or political elite within a given society or institution. It is a relative category, dependent on how an elite is defined—by wealth, office, cultural influence, or access to networks. Nonelites can include workers, lower- and middle-income groups, rural residents, small business owners, and professionals without leadership authority. The term is often used to examine patterns of inequality, representation, and influence.

Usage and scope: In political science, researchers compare elites and nonelites to analyze political participation, policy preferences, and access to decision-making. In sociology, it helps study social capital, resources, education, occupational prestige, and mobility. In organizational contexts, nonelites may refer to employees who are not managers or leaders. The label thus spans national, regional, and institutional levels.

Limitations and criticisms: The term is broad and can obscure diversity within nonelite groups; it risks reinforcing a binary view of society. Definitions of who counts as elite vary, and power can be non-economic (informational, cultural, or bureaucratic). Some scholars prefer terms such as majority, subaltern, or nonsystem actors to describe subordinate roles or groups.

Measurement and use in research: Researchers often operationalize nonelites with proxies such as income, wealth, occupation, education, or political influence; thresholds differ across studies and datasets. The term is most useful as a comparative tool to analyze relative position rather than as a precise descriptor of all individuals outside a defined elite.