The Circulation of Elites: Pareto's Theory and the Political Landscape of Azad Jammu & Kashmir
The figure above presents a visual illustration of the renowned theory of the Circulation of Elites , developed by the Italian sociologist and economist Vilfredo Federico Damaso Pareto (1848–1923). According to Pareto, history is essentially a continuous story of the rise and fall of competing elites. In every society, power, resources, and decision-making authority tend to remain concentrated in the hands of a relatively small group. What changes over time is not the existence of elites, but the identity of those who belong to them. In Pareto's view, a new elite emerges, acquires power, establishes institutions, and shapes the prevailing political and social order. Gradually, however, it becomes complacent, self-serving, and detached from the concerns of ordinary people. As this process unfolds, a new force begins to arise from within society, challenging the established elite and eventually replacing it. The cycle then starts anew. The essence of this theory can be captured in...