“Today’s Global Elite Aren’t Chosen by God; They Are Anointed at Harvard”

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IN THIS ISSUE

 “Where Did the Global Elite Go to School? Hierarchy, Harvard, Home and Hegemony” - A study by Professor Diaz and Professor Young

Elite education is more than a ticket to success—it’s a powerful gatekeeping mechanism that shapes global leadership and power structures. A groundbreaking survey by Ricardo J. Salas Diaz (Dartmouth College) and Kevin Young (University of Massachusetts-Amherst) sheds light on the educational backgrounds of the world’s most influential individuals. Here’s what the data reveals:

The Institutions That Shape Global Power

Out of 6,141 global elites surveyed—a group that includes billionaires, political leaders, corporate executives, and heads of influential organizations—an overwhelming 9% attended Harvard University. This makes Harvard the dominant player in shaping the modern ruling class. Other institutions with significant representation include:

• Stanford University

• University of Pennsylvania

• University of Oxford

• Columbia University

• Yale University

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

• University of Chicago

• University of California, Berkeley

Universities as Gatekeepers of Privilege

Prestigious universities are not just academic institutions—they are incubators of power and privilege. The status quo serves both the academic institutions and the people who attend them. Members of the global elite want their progeny to attend a Harvard, Penn, or MIT, knowing full well the status they provide and the doors they open. The desire to secure spots at these elite schools drives intense competition and, in some cases, unethical behavior. Wealthy families, recognizing the doors these institutions open, often go to extraordinary lengths to secure admissions for their children.

• Applicants from families in the top 1% of income are 55% more likely to gain admission to elite universities than applicants from working-class backgrounds, even with identical test scores.

• This dynamic perpetuates systematic privilege and entrenches inequality, creating a modern-day aristocracy legitimized by academic credentials that spans generations.

The Symbiotic Relationship Between Elites and Universities

The relationship between elite universities and the global elite is deeply reciprocal. These institutions benefit from the prestige of producing influential alumni who dominate industries and politics, while elites rely on these universities to cement their positions of power.

Administrators actively seek to enroll high-profile or wealthy students, knowing that their families are disproportionately likely to produce future leaders. This strategy amplifies the universities’ influence and further solidifies their reputation as pathways to success.

Modern "Royals": Power Beyond Meritocracy

While societies have moved away from monarchies and divine rights, elite universities now serve as the modern anointing grounds for leadership. Degrees from institutions like Harvard, Penn, or MIT confer a level of legitimacy and prestige that echoes old-world aristocracy.

However, the study underscores that access to these universities often reflects privilege more than merit. Despite claims of meritocratic admissions, the children of elites enjoy significant advantages, perpetuating a cycle of privilege and power.

Key Findings from Salas Diaz and Young’s Study

The original research delves deeper into the educational trajectories of global elites, revealing striking insights:

• Concentration at Prestigious Institutions:

  • Harvard’s alumni network dominates, with 9% of global elites having attended the university. 

  • Among elites in America, 16% earned their degrees there. Forty-one Harvard grads were CEOs of Fortune 500 companies in 2022. Eight of the 45 American presidents went there. 

  • Nearly one in five global elites are Ivy League graduates.
    

• Staying Local, Thinking Global:

  • The majority of elites studied within their home countries (92% of American elites in the U.S.; 85% of French elites in France).

  • When elites studied abroad, the U.S. and U.K. were the primary destinations, highlighting the global appeal and magnetism of their universities.

  

  Oxford is the only university outside the US on the top list

  
  

• The Role of Universities in Global Power Structures:

  • Elite universities function as gatekeepers of power, providing access to networks, opportunities, and legitimacy essential for maintaining influence.

  • Their alumni dominate politics, business, and global decision-making bodies, further entrenching their societal influence.
    

    

    The edge weights indicate the volume of elites with common connections

Implications and Questions

This research raises critical questions about meritocracy, access, and the role of education in shaping global hierarchies:

• Can elite universities genuinely democratize access to power, or are they destined to reinforce existing inequalities?

• How can societies ensure that access to these influential institutions reflects merit rather than privilege?

• What steps can universities take to foster inclusivity without compromising their reputation or influence?

The Takeaway

This research and its findings provide a stark reminder of the concentrated power of elite institutions in shaping global leadership. They reveal not only the profound impact of education on societal structures but also the enduring barriers that prevent broader access to these pathways of power. Elite universities—for better or worse—remain the anointing grounds of the world’s modern “royals.”

Work Cited - The Research/Survey

Where Did the Global Elite Go to School? Hierarchy, Harvard, Home and Hegemony

Ricardo Salas-Díaz, Kevin L. Young

First published: 14 October 2024

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BEFORE YOU GO…

QUOTE of the DAY 

“Whether you think you can, or you think you can't--you're right.”

― Henry Ford