They would have local people, sort of higher class and local elites bid for the right to collect local taxes, and so the Romans would take the highest bid.

他们安排当地人，算是上层阶级和本地精英，竞拍当地收税权，这样罗马总是能获得最高竞价。

Governing elites became isolated.

那些治理国家的精英们与世隔绝了。

Elites have fed this mass perception.

掌权者助长了这一普遍看法。

Change and continuity when new elites win power.

当新的精英赢得权利时的变动和一贯性。

Elites all across Europe have lost their authority.

整个欧洲大陆的精英们已经丧失了权威；