Conflict Between the Parasitic Class and Natural Law: Essential Guidelines for Harmonious Coexistence
In the realm of political theory, the concept of oligarchs has been a topic of interest for centuries. This group, often characterized by immense wealth and political influence, has been a subject of discussion since the days of Polybius, a Greek historian who observed the rise and fall of political structures. His observations led to the concept of the revolution of political structures, similar to Vilfredo Pareto's "circulation of the elite" theory, which posits that conflict between elites often sees one group supplant another at the top of the hierarchical social structure.
Pareto, a contemporary Italian economist and sociologist, has been credited with coining the term "the elite" and offering his "circulation of the elite" theory. This theory suggests that conflict between elites often results in one group replacing another at the pinnacle of power.
The path to becoming an oligarch involves amassing substantial wealth, controlling multiple businesses, and gaining political influence. This combination of economic dominance and political influence is key to their status. Oligarchs are typically part of a small, privileged elite with significant economic resources, owning or controlling multiple sectors or businesses, allowing them to coordinate across industries. They leverage their wealth to impact government or policy decisions, often bending the political system to serve their interests.
According to elite theory, oligarchs are members of a ruling class that effectively governs society, regardless of formal political structures. Elite theorists like Gaetano Mosca and Vilfredo Pareto argue that all societies are ultimately ruled by a small minority who maintain control through their social, economic, or political advantages. This ruling elite operates in its own interests, often perpetuating inequality and maintaining power regardless of democratic appearances.
In this view, oligarchs play the role of de facto rulers or power brokers, shaping policies and societal structures to benefit their class. They often use their wealth to ensure their continued dominance, influencing decisions behind the scenes even in systems formally controlled by broader populations. This dynamic is sometimes described as a "ruling class" or oligarchy controlling governance irrespective of official titles or democratic institutions.
However, the idea of democracy is often challenged, with some arguing that we have never lived in a true democracy, as the oligarchs rule us, and the idea of democracy is a fiction. This perspective is rooted in the works of ancient Greek philosophers like Aristotle, who described the "true" forms of government but acknowledged that each could be "perverted" by "private interest."
The concept of the "elite" largely stems from elite theory, a branch of political science that tries to explain why society is divided between the ruling minority and the broad mass of the people. C. Wright Mills argued that the "power elite" is not an inevitable consequence of modern bureaucratic and technological society, but rather a group that controls the resources, the economy, and the lives of the little people.
Despite their influence, the assumption that hierarchical structures are an unavoidable necessity of human society and that these must "inevitably" lead to oligarchies is questioned. The oligarchy's collective effect upon society is parasitic, deriving its nourishment from the people, who are the source of both their wealth and political authority.
The oligarchy maintains power and influence through various means, including wage slavery, industrial espionage, lawfare, war, debt leverage, economic oppression, land grabs, theft, or deceit. However, it is argued that we only need look at world events to appreciate that the rule of oligarchs doesn't deliver either peace or justice. It is a worthless "social order" that, if it exists at all, no one needs. It is a so-called "order" from which only oligarchs benefit.
In conclusion, the concept of oligarchs and their role in society has been a topic of debate for centuries. While their influence is undeniable, the question of whether hierarchical structures are an unavoidable necessity of human society remains a subject of ongoing discussion.
- In the realms of education and social science, the term 'elite' was coined and elaborated by Pareto, who also proposed the 'circulation of the elite' theory.
- The field of finance and business is where oligarchs amass substantial wealth and control multiple businesses, using their economic dominance and political influence to impact policies.
- General-news often covers the role of oligarchs as de facto rulers or power brokers, shaping policies to benefit their class, sometimes minimizing the impact of democratic structures.
- In the domain of science and politics, elite theory is a branch that explains societal divisions between the ruling minority and the broad masses of people.
- Solutions for truthful and equitable governance, according to some, may lie in challenging the assumption that hierarchical structures are predestined, as the parasitic influence of oligarchs perpetuates inequality and questions the essence of democracy.
