elity

Elity is the plural form of elita in Polish, used to refer to groups considered to be at the top of social, political, or economic hierarchies. The term denotes those who hold disproportionate influence or privilege, such as political leaders, business magnates, top officials, and influential cultural figures. The etymology traces to the French élite, ultimately from Latin eligere to choose; in Polish the form elita was borrowed and pluralized as elity.

In sociology and political science, the concept of the elite concerns the concentration of power within a relatively small, cohesive group. Classic theories include Pareto's elite theory, Mosca's idea of a ruling class, and Mills' power elite. Scholars distinguish among political elites, economic elites, and technical or intellectual elites, recognizing overlapping and evolving compositions. Debates focus on how elites are selected, how open or closed they are to social mobility, and how elite influence shapes policy.

In Polish discourse, elity is used both descriptively and evaluatively. Phrases such as elity polityczne, elity gospodarcze, and elity kultury appear in media and scholarly writing. The term can imply leadership and expertise but may also carry criticisms of privilege, elitism, and reduced accountability.

Notes: While elity primarily functions as a generic plural noun in Polish, it may appear in other languages with similar roots in referring to the elite as a social class. See also: elite, elitism, elite theory.