Power Elite (classical theory) Paretos theories and methods was on two stuff Residues : reasons or motives for

or behaviour Derivations: excuses, justification or rationalization for our behaviour Residue never change but Derivations change over time End justifies the means Society is always governed by a small number of men, by elite, even when it seems to have a completely democratic organization. Elites may be use cunning or force to achieve their aims, but that a new elite ordinarily takes control by the use of force .Then, as the new elites authority is legitimated or legalized ,they are followed by perpetuation or administrators Mechanism result in the circulation of elites, as lions are followed by foxes- that is, leadership by force is followed by leadership by cunning. Note that circulation does not imply historical change or progress, but simply going around and around Lions and foxes take turns feeding on the sheep( masses) elites use derivations to seek and hold power ,circulate ,and try to keep the masses under control by absorption or elimination Pareto saw history and change as resulting from the combination of unchanging residues and circulation of elites. Change occurs only in the derivations, or justifications ( including ideologies Governing Elite owe their position to the superiority of their personal characteristics or attributes Considerable org ability(lions: because of their ability rule by force)-military dictatorship Cunning behaviour and guile( foxes)- European democracy Elite theory was developed as reaction of Marxism by rejecting the idea of a communist utopia arguing that an egalitarian society was an illusion Elite theory argues that all societies are divided into two main groups( even in democracy) Ruling minority Ruled Elites also owe their power to its internal organization Theory pictures the majority as apathetic and unconcerned with the major issues of the day. The mass of the population is largely controlled and manipulated by the elite, passively accepting the propaganda justifies the elite rule An elite of lions lacks the imagination and cunning necessary to maintain its rule and will have to admit foxes from the masses to make up for this deficiency>gradually foxes infiltrate the entire elite and so transform the character

Mosca Theory of Power Elite Similar to Pareto Rule by a minority is an inevitable feature of social life Every Society-two classes Rules : performs political functions, monopolizes power and enjoys the advantages that power brings Ruled : Numerous Class Elites are distinguished from the masses of the governed by qualities that give them a certain material ,intellectual or even moral superiority Unlike Pareto, he believed that qualities varies from society to society Unlike Pareto, he believed there are differenced in elites between democratic and other elite rule , Democratic form is more open hence elites may be drawn form various social backgrounds According to Mosca: Democarcy was govt of the people, for the people but can never be by the people elite rule is always present

C Wright Mills (Modern Elite Theory) Differences Pareto and Mills Pareto cynically accepted elite rule while mills condemned it Pareto -Elite rule is inevitable while mills didnt believe in it Pareto-Elite rule is psychological ;Mills- institutional Mills rejected Pareto view that elites have superior qualities or psychological characteristics which distinguish them from rest

Mills theory Structure of institutions is such that those at the top of the institutional hierarchy largely monopolize power 3 key institutions occupy pivotal positions Corporations(economic power) Military(military power) Federal Government(political power) The interest s and activities of the elites are sufficiently similar and interconnected to form a single ruling minority- power elites Cohesiveness and unity of the power elite is strengthened by the similarity of the social background of its members and the interchange and overlapping of personnel between three elites Members largely drawn from upper strata of the society They share similar values and sympathies basis for trust and cooperation There could be interchange of personnel among the institutions

Decisions affect all members of the society but power elite is not accountable for its actions either directly to the public or to anybody which represents public interest General Population involved leisure,family,work,neighbourhood