Page 272 - DSOC202_SOCIAL_STRATIFICATION_ENGLISH

Unit 13: Changing Dimensions of Social Stratification

are characterized by the residues, which Pareto calls “the persistence of aggregates”. These refer Notes
to a fundamentally conservative impulse, a mindset, that is concerned with the preservation of
things as they are, addicted to forceful action and not overly given to reflection. By contrast, elites
of foxes are based on another class of residues, which are those of the “instinct for combination”.
The “foxes” are less rigid intellectually, more innovative and reflective, but much less decisive in
action. According to Pareto, lions essentially rule by force, foxes by cunning. These characteristics
are general predispositions, and are deeply rooted in the consciousness of the two groups of elites.
Based on the rigidity of consciousness, every elite tends to become heavy-handed and increasingly
inflexible in response to new situations.
When both types of elites fail to meet with certain situations, and loose power, a new type would
take power. The succession of ruling groups is called by Pareto circulation of elites. Circulation of
elites is like a law of history. It has happened always in all societies. When lions have no strong
grip over their rule, they are ousted skilfully by the foxes. The very basis, namely, forceful and
decisive action, on which the lions had occupied the throne loose its significance. The circulation
of elites is also caused by the onset of decadence in any elite that has been in power over a long
period. The privileges of power spoil the game of power itself. All elites eventually become flabby.
Incorporation of “new blood” within the ranks of elites may lengthen the process of survival in
power. This would imply that there can be a controlled circulation of elites - a mix of the persisting
and the new ones.
Pareto was impressed by the sway of irrational forces over social life. However, the irrational
forces emanating from the dumb predispositions (residues) keep cutting across rational conduct
and frustrate the very interests of the people. Weber was for rational motives. People act to push
forward their own interests. The consciousness motives in a struggle for power are usually the
advancement of such rational interests. Thus, as such, social life (and particularly power) is “an
inextricable tangle of rationality and irrationality, of interests and habits, of lucid planning and
blind passion”.
The Marxian Notion of Power
Before Weber and Pareto, Karl Marx related political power to his ideas on the class and class
struggle. And both Weber and Pareto were aware of the Marxist perspective on power. For Marx,
power is a superstructure. According to him, political power is always an instrument of the
dominant class (bourgeoisie). Marx sees political relations as a reflection of underlying economic
relations. Political power is the result of and a reflection of economic power. Marx called the state
as an “executive committee of the bourgeoisie”. But Weber distinguished between class and power
in no uncertain terms. According to Weber, power had its own dynamics and could not simply be
reduced to the dynamics of economic interests. Thus, both Weber and Pareto were different from
Marx in their understanding of power.
Today, the questions regarding the nature and location of power are quite varied and complex.
Does democracy entail power in popular consensus? Is power a matter of manipulations?
Is there hidden or invisible power? What is the role of the processes of democracy and development
in determination of power relations? What are the linkages of power between local, regional and
national levels in a given society? Does power lie in a community (of professionals, ethnic groups,
castes, etc.)?
C. Wright Mills on Power
Studies of power structure are available in the disciplines of sociology, anthropology, political
science, economics, etc. In particular, communities, political parties and bureaucratic organizations
have been studied by social scientists from their respective perspectives. Here, we may mention
C. Wright Mills’ book The Power Elite in particular as it has generated a serious discourse on
national power structure in the context of American society. According to Mills, America is ruled

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