Social elites, as described by Vilfredo Pareto, are those individuals or groups within society who possess superior qualities, skills, or attributes that allow them to exert influence and dominate others. They are not defined solely by wealth but also by their abilities, intelligence, leadership skills, or other exceptional characteristics that enable them to rise above the average members of society. According to Pareto, these elites are inherently the ones who shape and direct the political, economic, and social dynamics of a society.

Pareto’s theory of elites suggests that society is always governed by a minority that he terms the "governing elite," who wield power and decision-making capacity. This contrasts with the "non-governing elite," who may hold significant influence but do not directly control political power. For Pareto, the continuous circulation of elites, or the replacement of one elite group by another, is a natural and inevitable process in societal evolution.

(A) Pareto: Vilfredo Pareto is one of the foundational figures of elitist theory, known for his concept of the "circulation of elites" and the idea that society is always governed by a minority elite.

(B) Mosca: Gaetano Mosca is also closely associated with elitist theory. He proposed that in all societies, an organized minority (the ruling class) governs an unorganized majority.

(C) C. Wright Mills: While Mills is associated with a type of elitist analysis through his work The Power Elite, which discusses the interconnected elites of military, corporate, and political spheres in the U.S., he is not a classical elitist theorist like Pareto or Mosca.

(D) Robert Michels: Known for his "Iron Law of Oligarchy," Michels argued that all organizations, no matter how democratic in principle, eventually come to be ruled by a small group of elites.

C. Wright Mills developed the theory of the power elite, which proposed that a small group of influential individuals from the military, corporate, and political sectors wielded significant control over society, effectively substituting for Marx's idea of the ruling class as purely economically driven. This theory highlighted the interconnected nature of power structures in modern democracies.

Robert Michels' "Iron Law of Oligarchy" suggests that:

(A) Parties are disciplined and organized: True, as organizations need structure and discipline to function, which contributes to the centralization of power.

(B) Members are excluded from decision making: True, since power becomes concentrated in the hands of a few leaders, limiting the participation of general members.

(D) Parties lead to be oligarchic: True, as the main idea of the "Iron Law of Oligarchy" is that parties and organizations tend to become oligarchic over time, regardless of their original democratic intentions.

The author of Elites and Society is Tom Bottomore. This book, first published in 1964, provides an analysis of elite theories and discusses how elites function within various societies, exploring their roles, formation, and impact on social structures.

The concept of the Power Elite was developed by sociologist C. Wright Mills in his 1956 book The Power Elite. Mills argued that in modern societies, political power is concentrated in the hands of a small group of individuals from the military, corporate, and political sectors. These elites, often interlinked, make key decisions that shape society, regardless of public opinion or democratic processes. Mills contended that this concentration of power undermines democracy, as the elites act in their own interests, leading to a system where the majority has little influence over important societal decisions.

The Iron Law of Oligarchy, formulated by Robert Michels, posits that all organizations, regardless of their democratic principles, inevitably evolve into oligarchies. Michels argued that leadership structures and administrative needs create a concentration of power within a small elite, who then dominate decision-making processes. This tendency arises because organizational complexity requires delegation, resulting in a leadership class that maintains control to protect its interests. Even democratic movements become susceptible to this centralization of authority, as leaders consolidate power for efficiency and self-preservation. Michels' theory underscores a paradox: the pursuit of democracy often leads to an entrenched, self-perpetuating elite.

The Graveyard of Elites is a concept associated with Vilfredo Pareto’s theory of the circulation of elites. It refers to the inevitable decline and replacement of ruling elites over time. Pareto observed that no elite group maintains power indefinitely; instead, they face challenges, internal decay, or external pressures that lead to their downfall. This process is cyclical, where new elites emerge to replace the old ones, ensuring a dynamic and continuous shift in power structures.

The Iron Law of Oligarchy, formulated by Robert Michels, posits that all organizations, regardless of their democratic principles, inevitably evolve into oligarchies. Michels argued that leadership structures and administrative needs create a concentration of power within a small elite, who then dominate decision-making processes. This tendency arises because organizational complexity requires delegation, resulting in a leadership class that maintains control to protect its interests. Even democratic movements become susceptible to this centralization of authority, as leaders consolidate power for efficiency and self-preservation. Michels' theory underscores a paradox: the pursuit of democracy often leads to an entrenched, self-perpetuating elite.

Major Classical Elitists:

1. Gaetano Mosca (1858–1941):

1. • Major Work: The Ruling Class (1896)
   • Contribution: Mosca introduced the concept of the political class, a minority group that organizes and governs the majority. He argued that this political class is essential for the functioning of society because it brings order and leadership. Mosca's view of elitism is not necessarily cynical; he believed that an organized minority would always outmaneuver a disorganized majority due to superior organizational skills and leadership capabilities.

2. Vilfredo Pareto (1848–1923):

1. • Major Work: The Mind and Society (1916)
   • Contribution: Pareto is known for his theory of the circulation of elites, which suggests that elites are constantly replaced by new elites in a cyclical process. Although elite groups may change, the structure of elitism persists. Pareto also highlighted that elites justify their power through myths or ideologies that resonate with the population, thereby maintaining control without direct coercion.

3. Robert Michels (1876–1936):

1. • Major Work: Political Parties (1911)
   • Contribution: Michels introduced the Iron Law of Oligarchy, which states that all forms of organization, regardless of how democratic they may be at their inception, will eventually develop oligarchic structures. He argued that complex organizations inevitably concentrate power in the hands of a few leaders who prioritize self-preservation and the maintenance of their authority.

Major Theorists of Democratic Elitism:

1. Joseph Schumpeter (1883–1950):

1. • Major Work: Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy (1942)
   • Contribution: Schumpeter redefined democracy as a competitive process where leaders compete for the votes of the populace. He argued that democracy is not about direct participation but about choosing leaders who make decisions for the public. This competitive model ensures that elites govern, but their power is legitimized and checked by electoral processes.

2. Karl Mannheim:

1. • Major Work: Ideology and Utopia (1929)
   • Contribution: According to him, if elites take major decision on policy, it does not mean society is not democratic. In Mass democracy, all individuals can’t participate in forming a government or to take decision. But they can force their leaders to take decision in their interests or else they will remove them. Some is not possible in despotic society.

Explanation:

• Statement I: Robert Michels used the concept of the "iron law of oligarchy" to describe how political parties, despite their democratic ideals, eventually become dominated by a small ruling elite. This is a central concept in Michels' work, and it explains how power becomes concentrated in the hands of a few individuals or leaders in any large organization, including political parties.
• Statement II: Maurice Duverger's law states that the simple-majority single-ballot system (often called the first-past-the-post system) tends to favor the emergence of a two-party system. This is because such systems usually lead to the consolidation of political support around two major parties, as smaller parties struggle to gain representation.

• The Iron Law of Oligarchy, formulated by Robert Michels, posits that all organizations, regardless of their democratic principles, inevitably evolve into oligarchies. Michels argued that leadership structures and administrative needs create a concentration of power within a small elite, who then dominate decision-making processes. This tendency arises because organizational complexity requires delegation, resulting in a leadership class that maintains control to protect its interests. Even democratic movements become susceptible to this centralization of authority, as leaders consolidate power for efficiency and self-preservation. Michels' theory underscores a paradox: the pursuit of democracy often leads to an entrenched, self-perpetuating elite.
• The Circulation of Elites is a concept developed by Vilfredo Pareto, which suggests that elites in society are not fixed but undergo continuous change. According to Pareto, power and influence are held by a minority elite group, but this elite is subject to replacement over time by new elites. This circulation occurs as elites are either overthrown by new groups or lose power through the rise of new economic, political, or social forces. Pareto argued that while the names and faces of elites may change, the structure of elite dominance remains constant, ensuring that a minority always governs.
• Gaetano Mosca’s concept of the political class is central to his theory of the ruling class. In his work The Ruling Class (1896), Mosca argues that every society is divided into two groups: the ruling minority (the political class) and the ruled majority. The political class holds power and makes decisions that shape society. Mosca emphasized that even in democratic systems, a small group of elites tends to dominate political processes, often regardless of popular elections. This political class remains in power by controlling resources, institutions, and social structures, ensuring their dominance over the majority through organized leadership.

Gasset’s Theory of the Masses, as outlined in The Revolt of the Masses (1930), centers on the rise of the "mass man," an individual characterized by conformity, mediocrity, and a lack of critical thinking or personal responsibility. Gasset argued that the mass man, who demands rights without acknowledging duties, increasingly dominates modern society, leading to cultural and political decay. This shift undermines the influence of intellectual and moral elites who traditionally guide society. Gasset warned that this mass dominance erodes excellence, fosters authoritarianism, and risks societal stagnation by elevating average preferences over merit and expertise.

Gasset’s Theory of the Masses, as outlined in The Revolt of the Masses (1930), centers on the rise of the "mass man," an individual characterized by conformity, mediocrity, and a lack of critical thinking or personal responsibility. Gasset argued that the mass man, who demands rights without acknowledging duties, increasingly dominates modern society, leading to cultural and political decay. This shift undermines the influence of intellectual and moral elites who traditionally guide society. Gasset warned that this mass dominance erodes excellence, fosters authoritarianism, and risks societal stagnation by elevating average preferences over merit and expertise.

In Gaetano Mosca's theory, the concept of the sub-elite refers to the group of individuals or factions within society that, while not part of the ruling elite, still possess significant power and influence. The sub-elite is a secondary layer below the dominant ruling class but may compete for power or play a role in shaping decisions within the broader political structure. They are often composed of individuals from various sectors, such as business, military, or intellectual elites, who influence or challenge the ruling class. However, they remain subordinate to the primary elite, striving for greater influence or leadership roles.

Joseph Schumpeter, an economist and political scientist, attempted to reconcile democracy with elitism. He argued that democracy could be understood as a system where leaders (elites) compete for the support of the masses through periodic elections. In his view, democracy was a method for selecting leaders rather than a mechanism for direct participation by the masses in decision-making. Schumpeter's concept is often referred to as "elite theory" or "competitive elitism," where he emphasized the role of political parties and competition among elites as essential features of democratic governance.

The correctly matched pairs are:

(A) Robert Michels: Iron Law of Oligarchy – Robert Michels is known for formulating the "Iron Law of Oligarchy," which states that all complex organizations, regardless of how democratic they are initially, eventually develop oligarchic structures.

The other pairs are incorrect:

• (B) Huntington is known for theories on modernization and political order, but the idea of "modernization as a multifaceted process" is not his primary focus.
• (C) Karl Deutsch contributed to the theory of communication in politics but is not particularly known for "Receptors."
• (D) Almond is known for the theory of political systems and political culture, not the elitist theory of democracy.

So, the correct match is (A) Robert Michels: Iron Law of Oligarchy.

The correct chronological order of publication for the following books is:

1. Theory and Practice of Modern Governments by Herman Finer (1932): This book is a classic in public administration, exploring the structure and function of governments.
2. The Power Elite by C. Wright Mills (1956): This book examines the power structure of the United States, focusing on the military, corporate, and political elites.
3. Political Man by Seymour Martin Lipset (1960): This influential work explores the social bases of politics, particularly the relationship between democracy and social conditions.
4. Comparative Politics: A Developmental Approach by Gabriel Almond and G. Bingham Powell (1966): This book contributed significantly to the field of comparative politics, with a focus on political development and systems analysis.

Thus, the correct chronological order is:

(iii) Theory and Practice of Modern Governments → (ii) The Power Elite → (i) Political Man → (iv) Comparative Politics: A Developmental Approach.

Political decay is a political theory, originally described in 1965 by Samuel P. Huntington, which describes how chaos and disorder can arise from social modernization increasing more rapidly than political and institutional modernization.

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Political Order and Political Decay (2014) is a work by Francis Fukuyama. This book is the second volume of his two-part series, following The Origins of Political Order (2011). In Political Order and Political Decay, Fukuyama explores how political institutions evolve and why they sometimes fall into decay, with a focus on modern history from the French Revolution to contemporary global political challenges.