In November, the study Eliteak Hego Euskal Herriko Eliteak was presented: analysis of power. The research has been a teamwork led by Jon Diaz Egurrola of the UPV/EHU, with the collaboration of Paulo Iztueta. Likewise, the research and publication has been financed by the foundations Norte Sur and Manu Robles Arangiz. That is why we are proud to have reached an agreement between the two main Basque trade unions to carry out such a project.

The research consists of numerous sections that mainly analyze the theoretical aspects of the elite and the prominence it plays in our public and private institutions. Because first you have to know what you understand about the elite, and then you see the formation of that elite. In short, the elite is made up of high-ranking multi-tier organizations, which will achieve remarkable reputations and salaries. On the other hand, the members of the elite, for the most part, have university studies in five universities in the Southern Basque Country: three private and two public. In addition, some members obtained a university degree abroad.

As for public universities, the Basques had a significant deficit, because it was difficult to understand that no developed country like ours had a single one. Meanwhile, in Deusto the Jesuits had their own private university (1886), where many Basque leaders studied. Later in Pamplona, Opus Dei created his own (1952). The UPV/EHU was theoretically legalized in 1980, attached to the CAV, but had been offering titles and feeding the Basque elite under several universities in the Spanish state for many years: “School of Commerce” (1818) of Bilbao, currently integrated in the Faculty of Economics; School of Engineering (1897); and School of Economics (1953), although the Faculty of Sarriko was inaugurated in 1964. These three faculties have also played a leading role in the formation of the Basque elite.

In this process of formation of the Basque elite we must highlight the process of privatization of the public university. In the 1980s, the possibilities of access to university studies were greatly expanded. Children of any economic level would have the same opportunities to study at university and an excellent opportunity to rise on the “ladder of society”. But at the beginning of this new century, marked by the European Union, “excellence” became an objective. Consequently, numerous public-public research centres have been set up under the UPV/EHU and public resources have been provided: research teaching staff and financial resources. Thus, the EU’s demand for “excellence” will be an additional feature to reach the Basque elite of the future.

A similar phenomenon is also taking place in the health sector. In fact, Osakidetza is a public organization that offers a public health service, but many of the services behind it, such as analysis laboratories, private consultation clinics, special treatments, etc., are performed by private companies. Elite doctors will exercise their profession in these companies, in addition to the work they do in the hospitals of Osakidetza.

The positions held by the large Basque companies, whether public or private, are an important part of the Basque elite. Among them, most are men and only a few know Euskera. Moreover, the majority formation of this powerful group has been carried out in expensive private universities. Thus, wealthy families will be more likely to continue to complete the Basque elite.