What we have, good and bad is the result of capitalism. One reaches "elite" status through the accumulation of wealth and once that elite level of wealth is achieved the instinct to preserve one's status takes over.
In a capitalist society the golden rule is, he who has the gold, makes the rules. In the early 1900's the US started to take steps to neutralize some of that power. Anti-Trust legislation was the first step to not allow one person, one company to completely monopolize trade. Labor unions were formed to give workers a voice against the power of business. Progressive taxation.... all small steps to lessen the tilt of the playing field. The last 35 years or so we have done nothing but take actions to further the tilt.
All that government intervention to level the playing field, and what do we have? The same people are still at the top of the ladder. Except now, it's harder for non elites to climb the ladder. And we're wasting tons of money on government agencies