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Social Stratification

Notes by economic, political and military elites. The economic elite represents the top strata of big
business and corporation management. The political elite represents key figures in the formal
apparatus of government. The military elite comprises of the top echelon of the armed services.
Mills’ view is that economic component of the power elite is a decisive one. As such, Mills’
analysis of power elite resembles with the Marxist framework as both consider the economic
component most significant determinant. However, Mills differs from Marx as he observes that
the leadership in these three elite groups is increasingly interchangeable, hence, emergence of a
system of interlocking directorates of economic, political and military elites. “All three groups mix
with each other in a variety of both informal and official contacts. There is cohesion and
impermeability of the hierarchy of elites. One of the criticisms of Mills’ “economic elite dominance”
“hypothesis” is Arnold Rose’s “multi-influence hypothesis”, which essentially confirms a pluralistic
model of political relations. One can say that both at the national and micro levels, multiple
influences work in shaping the structure of power elite. To a considerable extent, there are cohesive
elites, they are variegated, as non-economic factors also affect them; and there is a pluralistic
power structure.
Lastly, at the conceptual level, the views expressed by Bertrand Russell, in the book Power, are
useful in understanding of power as key to a man’s desires. He writes : “Of the infinite desires of
men, the chief are the desires for power and glory.” He rejects the Marxian notion of the
economically determined power, which is largely supported by Mills as well. Love for power is
the cause of the activities that are important in social affairs of a society. The forms of power
include wealth, ornaments, civil authority, influence and opinion. These forms of power are
autonomous and irreducible. The laws of social dynamics are laws of power dynamics. Love for
power is not evenly distributed in society. In a way, Russell’s explanation is psychological as
power is considered by him as an innate energy in man. Rajendra Sharma writes : “More than a
psychological phenomenon, power is a socially and culturally structured reality. Power over man
is a universal phenomenon, so is to power man, but these are not psychological traits or motives,
these are historical processes and are structured by forces and events of human civilization.”
There could be multiple sources of power, including ideological, economic, military and political.
It also matters how one looks at power. Power could be socially an integrative mechanism, a
hierarchical phenomenon, a yardstick of interpersonal behaviour, and a multidimensional normal
and evaluative aspect. For example, power could be used for communication, language, cognitive
structures, and a tool for a critique of modernity. For example, Michel Foucault talks of power as
a medium and power technologies, including therapies, expert opinions, social technologies,
curriculum tests, research reports, data banks, proposal for reforms, etc., for new genealogy of
knowledge.
Power and Society in India
Society and polity are closely linked in India. Economy is undoubtedly an important factor
influencing politics and social status. But its role and significance are somewhat hazy and less
effective. Power emanates in India from two main sources : socio-cultural fabric, and political
structures. In the first case, caste, religion, language, region, etc., play decisive role in access to
positions of power and authority. In the second, institutions such as Panchayati Raj, municipal
bodies, State Assembly and Lok Sabha provide opportunities to the people to enter into these
arenas of power politics. Political parties are generally in the forefront at the time of elections for
these bodies.
Primordial sentiments, particularly relating to caste and region, are appropriated in the game of
power. Caste, class and power nexus works in the interest of those who can make maximum use
of support of their caste/community, economic standing and patronage of concerned political
party and its leadership. New forms of power blocs (NDA, UPA, etc.), alignments (social

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