Abstract
The publication of the "Bell Curve" by Herrnstein and Murray in 1994 provoked many critical reactions, mainly in the United States. They argue that the differences in IQ underlie social differences and class structure. Their pessimistic view of the future is that a small group of intellectual elitists will get and keep the best positions in society. According to them, "smalltown communities" could be a remedy to overcome these negative consequences of elitism. Another publication which touches upon elitism is Henry's, "In Defense of Elitism". He, however, sheds a different light on this issue. There has been an ideological struggle between the values of elitism and of egalitarianism for several decades, with the latter currently having the upper hand. He argues that there is only one logic for all societies which wish to improve, and this logic is that they need the better performers, the better experts, the better thinkers. Thus, elitism is necessary. This ongoing dicussion about the value of and need for high ability is controversial, but also helpful.
