Examine Pareto’s analysis of the circulation of elites. It is valid for the modern industrial societies?

The elite theory is a theory of the state which seeks to describe and explain the power relationships in contemporary society. Vilfredo Pareto developed the notion of the circulation of elites in this regard. It emerged in part as reaction to Marxism and rejected communist utopia as an illusion. The theory assumes that 

• All societies are divided into two groups i.e. Ruling minority and ruled majority and this is inevitable
• Ruling minority i.e. elites have some psychological and personal qualities as source of power
• This minority is cohesive and united in front of unorganized and fragmented masses
• Major decision are taken by elites
• Majority remains apathetic and unconcerned in major issues of the day

Further, he emphasized the psychological and intellectual superiority of elites, believing that they were the highest accomplishers in any field. He discussed the existence of two types of elites:

1. Governing elites
2. Non-governing elites

Pareto compares them with loins and foxes. The former one is forceful and he can take incisive and decisions, whereas the later is cunning elite. Pareto’s concept of circulation of elites can examined with illustrations that Military dictatorship is an example of Lion elite and the European government established by manipulation and wheeling-dealing is an example of Fox elites. The establishment of elite authority one after other by lions and foxes is called as circulation of elites.The elites would be replaced by new ones due to several reasons like decadence, loss of vigour, lacking in qualities of the counterpart and resistance to change. He said that nothing ever really changes and history is and always will be a graveyard of aristocracies.

Pareto’s theory is based on his study of ancient empires like Roman , hence it is considered simple and not very relevant to modern industrial societies. He does not take into political developments like democratic State which does not depend on the personal quality of a single leader. Differences in the political system is considered minor by him.