Vilfredo Pareto

(1848 – 1923)

1. An Italian Economist, political scientist and philosopher. 
2. Elite theory- Circulation of Elites- the ruling class replaced by another ruling/aristocratic class through revolution 
3. Pareto optimality- an economic state where resources cannot be reallocated to make one individual better off without making at least one individual worse off. 
4. Many critics, like Karl Popper, called him Fascist supporter- theoretician of totalitarianism

Gaetano Mosca

(1858 – 1941)

1. Gave Elite theory- all societies ruled by a numerical minority, the political class. 
2. The political class- Elites- superior organizational skills. 
3. Circulation of Elites: constant competition between elites, with one elite group replacing another repeatedly over time 
4. But his theory of political class is different in arguments from ‘The Power Elite’ described by C. Wright Mills. 
5. Mosca’s Elite theory is more liberal than Elite theory of Vilfredo Pareto

Robert Michels

(1876-1936)

1. German-born Italian Political Philosopher
2. Gave ‘Iron law of oligarchy’ - rule by an elite, or oligarchy, is inevitable within any democratic organization

Book:

1. Political Parties - 1911