[Docere]

I'm not talking about political liberalism vs conservatism or D vs R. But rather interested in comparing cities and regions in terms of "elitism" (social hierarchy, status distinctions, emphasis on history and traditions etc.)

It seems that the two most "elitist" regions are the Northeast and the South, in different ways; Northeastern elites are very different from Southern elites. The former is politically liberal, very strong emphasis on educational attainment and degrees, Ivy League education, the desirable suburbs are quite bucolic and NIMBY. The conservative-minded Southern elite also stresses hierarchy and tradition. More emphasis on fraternities, there's an expected deferentialism to your superiors etc. To put it simply the Northeast is liberal-elitist and the South is conservative-elitist.

The Midwest and West have less status hierarchies. The West Coast is liberal-egalitarian, while the Midwest varies politically.

Obviously this is an undeveloped, simplistic sketch.