Part 9/14:
A central theme is the behavior and makeup of societal elites. The question is whether a unifying, evolutionary model exists to explain elite conduct. The concept of “luxury beliefs” — beliefs held by elites that serve to reinforce their status — is introduced as a piece of this puzzle.
The speakers entertain the possibility that the elite isn’t a fixed group but a dynamic, shifting entity whose composition is difficult to define precisely. Still, they argue that elites tend to act in ways that preserve their status and power, often through collusion and manipulation. As individuals attain elite status, they have more to lose, which naturally incentivizes behaviors like conspiracy, deception, and strategic alliances to protect their position.