Description
Book SynopsisAt a time when significant social status, economic resources, and political opportunities seem to become ever more unequally distributed and only available to a few, this book represents the first systematic effort in recent years to develop a sociological model of elites and non-elites.
Trade ReviewElites 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
Table of ContentsPreface
Chapter 1. Introduction
Chapter 2. The General Model
Chapter 3. Traditional India: the Varna Scheme
Chapter 4. Athens in the Classical Period
Chapter 5. The U.S. 1980-2008: Economics and Politics
Chapter 6. The U.S. 1980-2008: Other Actors
Chapter 7. The 2007-2009 Financial Crisis
Chapter 8. Conclusions
Appendix: Some Implications and Elaborations of the Model
References
