top of page

HISTORIAS                    Manuel Espejo

Elite Theory

Throughout the annals of human history, elites and oligarchies have played pivotal roles. Sociological theories on elites posit that in all societies, there exist dominant groups who wield control over the realms of politics, economics, social structures, and culture. These theories seek to elucidate the phenomenon of social dominance, which often contradicts the ideals of a true democracy.

While this line of thought offers valuable insights into understanding our reality, its political implications are frequently skewed. Typically, theories of elites tend to legitimize authoritarian and strong state structures, casting doubt on the feasibility of genuine democracy.

What chiefly defines elites is their concentration of political, economic, and social power, coupled with their organizational prowess and enhanced ability to enact policies that align with their interests. In contrast, the masses often find themselves unaware of how to advocate for their own interests, fragmented, and easily manipulated. From the vantage point of sociological elite theories, democracy may be viewed as an unattainable ideal or simply an impractical form of governance.

The Italian sociologist Vilfredo Pareto (1848–1923) introduced the concept of the circulation of elites. Pareto conceptualized history as a succession of different aristocracies governing societies. These elites are not static entities; they experience circulation. Within every society, individuals with exceptional qualities in intelligence, character, or capability stand out from the rest. These individuals successfully position themselves in the highest echelons of society, whether through peaceful or violent means. The best among the lower classes ascend to the upper echelons or the elite, while the least accomplished of the elites descend to the lower ranks.

Another Italian thinker, Gaetano Mosca (1858–1941), postulated that in any historical society, there exists a minority class that governs and a majority that is governed. What consistently characterizes the minority ruling class is their organizational acumen—the ability to prevail over the majority. This ruling class justifies its dominion through the use of ideologies, scientific theories, moral or religious principles, legal frameworks, and other tools.

German sociologist Robert Michels (1876–1936) contributed the concept of the "iron law of oligarchy." According to Michels, any form of organization, regardless of its ideological orientation, inherently possesses oligarchic tendencies. The masses often exhibit apathy and rely on the guidance and influence of elites. Conversely, leaders possess qualities that facilitate their ascension to the ruling class. These qualities drive societies toward an oligarchic structure. In Michels' view, complete replacement of elites in history is a rare occurrence; instead, elites evolve over time, with elements of previous elites persisting in the new elites through an ongoing process. In essence, democracy, as it is commonly conceived, becomes a challenging proposition. In virtually any social organization, regardless of its declared democratic principles, a blend of oligarchic and democratic elements coexists.

Numerous authors have delved into the subject of elites, with notable contributions such as the 2012 work Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity, and Poverty by American economists Daron Acemoglu and James Robinson. In this book, the authors introduce the concept of "extractive" institutions—those that enable elites to govern and exploit societies, extracting wealth to benefit themselves. Even institutions that may outwardly appear democratic can perpetuate the exclusion of the majority from political decision-making processes and equitable income distribution. According to Acemoglu and Robinson, the presence of such extractive elites can hinder a society's capacity for growth and economic development.

In summary, studies on social elites underscore the historical prevalence of oligarchies and elites. These studies reveal a correlation between a minority's thirst for power, their wealth, social dominance, and the resulting indifference, economic exploitation, repression, or manipulation of the social majority. Such scholarship often raises questions about the viability of democracy, leading some of its proponents to defend authoritarian regimes, such as fascists or national socialists, although this is not a universally accepted stance.

bottom of page