Elites

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.