Does democracy really live up to this norm? Can in fact everyone belong to an elite? To answer this question the author would like to present and critically examine three elite theories that differ in content and time. He is not only concerned with access to the elites, i.e. how they recruit themselves, but in the overall context with how a group of influential and powerful people emerges and how they maintain themselves. His argument is that he believes that access to an elite can be understood much better by examining how they emerge and try to maintain their position in society. The question of social access to the elites, therefore, is always a question of how they emerged and how they are maintained. But the main focus will ultimately be on the question of the access of individuals to elites. In this work he will therefore identify the social factors that determine the emergence of, the access to and the maintenance of elites.
Everyone has heard the term “elite” before. But very few know what it means or who exactly it refers to. Defined by the Cambridge Dictionary, the "elite" are "those people or organizations that are considered the best or most powerful compared to others of a similar type". But what makes them "the best" or "most powerful"and how do they get into this privileged position? In our democratic society, it is assumed that education, performance and success are decisive for advancing one to an elite position. Allegedly, anyone can ascend to a privileged elite position. Open access to the elites is one of the central norms of a representative democracy.
The author will therefore start with a small historical and theoretical background to the term "elites"itself, since it is often unclear what is meant by elites. Indeed, the term can be used in different ways and with different meanings, as we will see. This is followed by Mosca’s classical elite theory. Unfortunately, due to the limited scope of the work, he has to cut back on the classics of elite theories. However, in terms of the content of Mosca’s theory to the other classics, such as Pareto and Michels, they hardly differ.
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Table of Contents
- 1 INTRODUCTION
- 2 HISTORICAL AND THEORETICAL BACKGROUND OF THE TERM “ELITES”
- 3 CLASSIC ELITE THEORY BY MOSCA
- 3.1 ORGANIZED AND SUPERIOR MINORITY
- 3.2 MONOPOLIZATION EFFORTS OF THE RULING CLASS
- 4 FUNCTIONAL ELITE THEORIES
- 4.1 SOCIAL OPENNESS AND PLURALISM
- 4.2 SELECTION ACCORDING TO PERFORMANCE
- 4.3 STRATEGIC ELITES
- 4.4 CONCLUSION AND COMPARISON OF FUNCTIONAL ELITE THEORIES
- 5 CRITICAL ELITE THEORIES
- 5.1 THE POWER ELITE
- 5.2 SOCIAL COHESION IN THE UPPER CLASS
- 5.3 REPRODUCTION OF THE RULING CLASS
- 5.4 CONCLUSION AND COMPARISON OF CRITICAL ELITE THEORIES
Objectives and Key Themes
This work aims to critically examine three distinct elite theories—classical, functional, and critical—to understand how elites emerge, maintain their positions, and how social access to these positions functions. The focus is on the factors determining the emergence, access, and maintenance of elites, particularly examining whether democratic ideals of open access are truly realized.
- The historical and theoretical evolution of the concept of "elite."
- A comparison of classical, functional, and critical elite theories.
- Analysis of the mechanisms by which elites maintain power and influence.
- Examination of the social factors that determine access to elite positions.
- Evaluation of the extent to which democratic principles of open access to elite positions are reflected in reality.
Chapter Summaries
1 INTRODUCTION: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the subsequent analysis by defining the concept of "elite" and outlining the central research question: How do elites emerge, maintain their positions, and what social factors determine access to these positions? It establishes the work's primary focus on examining the relationship between the emergence, maintenance, and access to elite positions and highlights the three elite theories that will be explored: classical, functional, and critical. The chapter emphasizes the importance of understanding the processes of elite formation and maintenance to fully grasp the issue of social access to elite positions, ultimately framing the broader investigation.
2 HISTORICAL AND THEORETICAL BACKGROUND OF THE TERM “ELITES”: This chapter provides a historical and theoretical overview of the term "elite," tracing its origins from the Latin word "eligere" (to select) and exploring its evolving meaning throughout history. It highlights the contributions of early elite sociologists like Mosca, Michels, and Pareto, while acknowledging the misuse of elite theory during the fascist era. The chapter also discusses the shift in the use of the term "elite" from its original association with nobility to its later association with the rising bourgeoisie and its differentiation from the "masses," setting the context for understanding the complexities and nuances associated with this term.
3 CLASSIC ELITE THEORY BY MOSCA: This chapter delves into Mosca's classic elite theory, focusing on his concept of the "classa politica" (political class) and its distinction from the Marxist concept of the "ruling class." Mosca's central argument, that a minority always rules the majority, is explored. The chapter examines the reasons behind a minority's ability to maintain power, emphasizing the advantages of organization and the perceived superiority (material, intellectual, or moral) of the ruling class members. It lays the groundwork for a deeper understanding of subsequent theories by examining the core tenets of Mosca's work, especially regarding organizational advantages and inherent traits attributed to ruling minorities.
Keywords
Elite theory, Mosca, functional elite theories, critical elite theories, power elite, social stratification, social power, access to elites, social cohesion, class reproduction, democracy, political class, ruling class.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview
What is the main topic of this text?
This text provides a comprehensive overview of elite theories, critically examining classical, functional, and critical perspectives. It explores the emergence, maintenance, and access to elite positions, analyzing how these relate to democratic ideals.
What are the key themes explored in the text?
The key themes include the historical evolution of the concept of "elite," a comparative analysis of different elite theories, the mechanisms by which elites maintain power, the social factors determining access to elite positions, and an evaluation of the extent to which democratic principles are reflected in the reality of elite access.
Which elite theories are discussed?
The text examines three main elite theories: classical elite theory (primarily focusing on Mosca's work), functional elite theories, and critical elite theories. Each is analyzed separately and then compared and contrasted.
What is Mosca's contribution to elite theory?
Mosca's classical elite theory emphasizes that a minority (the "political class") always rules the majority. He highlights the importance of organization and the perceived superiority of the ruling class in maintaining power. The text contrasts this with Marxist concepts of the "ruling class."
What do functional elite theories propose?
Functional elite theories, unlike classical theories, often focus on the positive role of elites in society, emphasizing social openness, pluralism, meritocratic selection, and the importance of strategic elites. The text compares and contrasts these with classical and critical approaches.
What are the key arguments of critical elite theories?
Critical elite theories offer a more critical perspective, often focusing on the power elite's concentration of power, social cohesion within the upper class, the reproduction of the ruling class, and the limitations on democratic access to elite positions.
How is the text structured?
The text is structured into chapters covering an introduction, a historical overview of the concept of "elite," a detailed analysis of classical, functional, and critical elite theories, and a conclusion summarizing the key findings. Each chapter has a dedicated summary within the text.
What are the keywords associated with this text?
Keywords include: Elite theory, Mosca, functional elite theories, critical elite theories, power elite, social stratification, social power, access to elites, social cohesion, class reproduction, democracy, political class, and ruling class.
What is the overall objective of the text?
The text aims to provide a critical analysis of different elite theories to understand how elites emerge, maintain their positions, and how social access to these positions functions. It particularly examines whether democratic ideals of open access are truly realized.
Who is the intended audience for this text?
The text is intended for academic use, facilitating the analysis of themes related to elite theories in a structured and professional manner.
- Citation du texte
- Daniel Wolf (Auteur), 2020, From the Ruling Class to the Power Elite, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/984169
