Elites

Beschreibung

At a time when significant social status, economic resources,and political opportunities seem to become ever more unequallydistributed and only available to a few, this book represents thefirst systematic effort in recent years to develop a sociologicalmodel of elites and non-elites. In outlining a new typology ofeconomic, political, and cultural elites, as well as drawingattention to the important role of non-elites, this accessiblywritten book provides novel insights into the structure ofhistorical and contemporary societies. Milner identifies the sources and structures of economic,political, and cultural power, and investigates patterns ofcooperation and conflict between and within elite groups. Analyzingpoliticians and propagandists, landowners and capitalists, nationalheroes and celebrities, ordinary folks and outcasts, the bookapplies its model to three distinctly different societies -ancient India, Classical Athens, and the contemporary United States- highlighting important structural commonalities acrossthese otherwise very dissimilar societies. A significant contribution to scholarship, Elites will alsobe useful for an array of courses in sociology, political science,and history.

Autor*in

Murray Milner

Themen in »Elites«

Bildung von Klassen u. Schichten Class & Stratification Gesellschaftstheorie Oberschicht Political Sociology Politische Soziologie Social Theory Sociology Soziologie

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Elites deserves wide attention. Writing with exceptional clarity, Milner balances the simplicity of deep conceptual structures with an empirical complexity spanning three sharply contrasting civilizations. He emphasizes, against purely economic and political approaches, that elite status can be powerfully based on distinctive cultural competences, which in contemporary societies involve increasing visibility. This is the first really new theory of elites in many decades. Jeffrey C. Alexander, Yale University Professor Milner provides a powerful set of social science tools for those keen to understand many of the pressing issues we face today. These include those concerned with the rise of the 1% and the decline of the rest; legalized corruption that deeply distorts our political process; and the influence of the military industrial complex. Amitai Etzioni, The George Washington University "In such historical circumstances, [... Elites: A General Model...] is not only timely and relevant, but also exciting. [...] It is a refreshing contribution to the growing volume of elite-focused analyses of power and politics." Jan Pakulski, Books and Ideas
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