The basic mechanism by which the elites gain and maintain their power is elections. Until we get rid of this mechanism we will forever be ruled by elites. (The phonetic similarity between "elections" and "elites" is not coincidental.) Occassionally, the elites will be benign, even benevolent. But most often they will be exploitative and oppressive.

To have a democratic society, we must replace elections with sortition (government by a jury of our peers). That is bite in the apple we really need.