POLSCI 1G06 Lecture 8: October 1, 2013 - 4A Elite Theory - Lecture #8 .doc
31 Dec 2014
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Elite theory: historically, society has been divided into two - those who rule and those who are ruled. Elite theory asks the question of why this has been the case and whether this inequality is a necessary part of human societies. To sum: for classical elite theorists, this divide between the two is not something characteristic only of the past, but an inevitability in any society. Two root cause explanations in elite theory: natural differences, certain physiological and psychological characteristics confer a political advantage and thereby lead to elite domination. Elites may be overthrown: however, the end result is one elite replacing another, rather than the elimination of elite rule as such. A circulation of elites at best: elite rule is not a consequence of natural differences between individuals, but of the intrinsic nature of social organization, robert michels" iron law of oligarchy .
