Sandbox

Weekly inspiration #31: Elite reloaded

April 11th, 2010 by Noé Blancpain

I guess it’s a safe bet to say that, at least in Switzerland where I live, people traditionally don’t like the elites too much. We like successful sportsmen, but only if they stay humble and behave like the boy next door – like tennis star Roger Federer. We adore musicians, but we become suspicious when they are too eccentric and live in huge villas – like pretty much every rock star. We respect entrepreneurs, but only if they don’t show what they earn.

So far, so good: In a strong democracy, there is maybe also a strong need for equality within society.

But during the last few months, public – or published – hysteria against “the elite” has reached a new level. In my opinion, it’s a dangerous one.

Media tells us it’s all about the financial crisis: people are outraged because greedy managers who earned tremendous amounts of money have driven the global economy into the ground – only to earn even more money now again. Well, first of all: this may not be the whole story, but it may not be all wrong, either. I personally cannot understand incentive programs for bankers that don’t happened  to have downswings in years when their company almost got bankrupt. Neither do I think it’s a wise thing for a company to guarantee a guy a bonus of 10 million pounds over three years (as I was told by a friend) – independently of how well this guy is going to work in this period. As far as I know, an incentive should give you reasons to work well. If you’re garanteed to get this kind of money, the system is perverted due to the war for talent.

But in times when serious newspapers celebrate witch-hunts against politicians who refuse to see the world black and white and don’t sing along the “bankers go to hell” song as – it has happened during the last few months in Switzerland – people’s rage goes far beyond big banks and their not so responsible managers. You can read malicious anthems against “those people up there” in magazines everyday – meaning everyone from University professors to cultural heros  and politicians. You can watch ruthless self-named “men of the people” on TV attacking those few persons who take responsibility in the society – and therefore are more powerful than others.

Don’t get me wrong: I’m not naive. I don’t believe that all politicians are good and only want the best for their country. I know there is corruption, I know there is intrigue. But I believe that the whole political system – and therefore democracy itself – is at stake if people refuse to accept that the privilege of being powerful is not bad per se, and if they ignore that those who take decisions have normally worked very hard to get there (maybe Switzerland is special in this way, because hardly any politician doesn’t have a “real” job besides his political career). In my job as head of communications of the Swiss Liberal Party, I got to know a few politicians. I can see every day how much time and energy they spend, the personal freedom they sacrifice and the passion they have for their ideals.

Whether we like it or not, two facts are clear in my view. First: Our societies need elites. Wether they are cultural, political or economical: gifted people drive us forward by exploring new ways and finding innovative solutions. Second: Elites are under severe pressure from those who don’t like the idea of more privileged persons than themselves. I read about social hierarchies in the 1950s at university. And granted, doctors, judges and entrepreneurs still enjoying high reputation – there was in my view even too much class thinking back then. Because it’s not about beeing admired, but about showing respect for each other and every way of life. Respect for those who made it as for those who think of themselves as normal people.

What does that have to do with us? Sandbox is a network for highly talented young people. Much more than others, they have legitimate hopes to once influence the world, and somehow consider themselves as part of the elite. I therefore see our obligation not only in excelling at what we do. But also in making an effort every day to keep both our feet on the ground; to explain to others what we do and why we do it; to act responsibly with every step forward and every step up we make; to show respect. Sandbox is an exclusive community – society is not. Without acceptance, we cannot achieve anything. The elite of tomorrow is not only aiming at fulfilling their dreams, but also at realizing those of others who aren’t as lucky to have so many opportunities.

Noé has co-founded Sandbox and currently works as Head of Communication for the Swiss Liberal Party in Berne.