Defining ‘Elites’

I am puzzled by the frequent use of the word “elites” in Ryan Anderson’s article on Republicans. I know  the meaning of an “elite” athlete or an “elite” combat unit,  but I don’t know who are the “elites” in general society.

I get the impression that “elites” refers to those who stand out by being better educated, more rational, and are less susceptible to believing nonsense.

Oddly enough, the term seems to be more often used as a slur.