Elites and SocietyIn this substantially revised and enlarged second edition of a classic text that has been used throughout the world in numerous translations, Tom Bottomore reconsiders élite theory in the light of more recent studies. He examines the role and significance of élites in relation to classes and class structure in both advanced industrial and developing countries, and expounds the criticism of élites and élitism that have been formulated by democratic and socialist thinkers and movements. In a new concluding chapter, Professor Bottomore considers the prospect, as humanity approaches the millenium, for a renewed advance towards more egalitarian forms of society, in which all citizens would be able to participate more fully and effectively in the shaping of their social world. Tom Bottomore taught at the London School of Economics 1952-64, was Head of the Department of Political Science, Sociology and Anthropology at Simon Fraser University, Vancouver 1965-67, and Professor of Sociology at the University of Sussex 1968-85 where he is now Professor Emeritus. He is the author of numerous books, most recently: Theories of Modern Capitalism, Allen and Unwin (1985); Classes in Modern Society, Routledge (2nd edition, 1991) and Between Marginalism and Marxism: The Economic Sociology of J A Schumpter, Harvester Wheatsheaf (1992). |
Contents
concept and ideology | |
From the ruling class to the power élite | |
Politics and the circulation of élites | |
Intellectuals managers and bureaucrats | |
élites in the developing countries | |
Democracy and the plurality of élites | |
Equality or élites? | |
Into the millennium | |
Bibliography | |
Name index | |
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Common terms and phrases
activities administration Aron Bottomore bourgeoisie bureaucracy capitalism capitalist cent century changes chap circulation of élites circulation of individuals civil classless society Communist competition concept criticism cultural democracy democratic developing countries distinction doctrines dominance economic élite groups élite theories elites especially established factors families feudal form of society governing élite growth historical ibid idea ideology important industrial countries inequality influence intellectuals interests Karl Mannheim Kolabinska leaders lias lower strata major managers Marx Marxism Marxist mass Max Weber means middle class military modem modern Mosca and Pareto movement officials organization ownership participatory democracy political class political élite political parties political power political system population power élite problems production proletariat recruited regimes revolution revolutionary rise role rulers ruling class Schumpeter sense social classes social groups socialist sphere strata of society stratum T.S. Eliot type of society universal suffrage upper class veiy Western winch