nonelite

Nonelite is a term used in sociology and related disciplines to describe individuals or groups that do not belong to or exercise the disproportionate political, economic, or cultural power associated with an elite. The concept is relational rather than fixed, defined in relation to what is considered elite in a given society, time, or context.

In practice, nonelite can refer to broad social strata such as working and lower-middle classes, as well as marginalized communities that lack access to influential resources or decision-making processes. The term is often employed in analyses of social stratification, mobility, and inequality, helping to distinguish levels of influence, privilege, and access to institutions such as education, healthcare, and political participation.

The usage of nonelite varies by field. In political science, it may frame discussions of representation and policy responsiveness; in sociology, it supports examinations of social capital, cultural capital, and class dynamics. In organizational contexts, nonelite might describe employees outside leadership hierarchies or nonfounder groups within networks. In marketing or market research, nonelite can denote consumer segments outside top-tier markets.

Critiques of the term emphasize that it can oversimplify diverse populations and obscure within-group differences. The boundary between elite and nonelite is context-dependent and often fluid, reflecting changes in wealth, power, and access over time. See also: Elite, Social class, Stratification, Inequality.