But today elites are less confident. Instead of trying to pass themselves off as the master race, they are more likely to dress up as the persecuted minority. Big companies and governments love to get a woman to front their operations. Nothing suits them more when it comes to facing down opposition than playing the role of the underdog. Of course, that is all for show.
Power is power.
But these days power comes wearing the guise of powerlessness. The polemics against the bigotry of the masses and the untrustworthiness of elected politicians serve an important purpose. Passing themselves off as the enlightened and persecuted few is one way to undermine the claims of the many. As against all the judges who want to rein in the democratic process, and civil liberties campaigners who want to undermine majoritarianism, the mass of people still provide us with the best chance of making the best decisions - as long as someone is prepared to take the case to them. To the elites that prefer to rule by dividing, The Majority might look like a tyranny.