One problem for “Elites”. The men who made the fortunes that propelled themselves into the “elites” were mostly very smart and capable people. Their DESCENDANTS, however, are likely to be much more average in abilities.
All they really have going for them, are inherited wealth, plus a network of connections accumulated over decades and generations. They know that there are lots of people in the middle class who are MUCH smarter than they are, and the potential competition terrifies them.
Most of the elite are elite because they are much smarter than most people or are much more athletic than most people.
The problem is... they often don’t marry someone with similar abilities but instead marry some brainless boobs on legs and thus end up with average children, who are then spoiled and often raised to be average in every way and to avoid the very activities which led to their parents success.