Abstract
The distribution of power, like the distribution of wealth, has fascinated writers for centuries, and the history of political thought is littered with ideas for the best form of government — Plato’s Republic, Rousseau’s Social Contract, Marx’s communism. But how in the twentieth century is, or should, power be distributed?
“Democracy is inconceivable without organisation, yet he who says organisation says oligarchy” — Robert Michels in The Iron Law of Oligarchy (1911)
“Opportunity means nothing unless it includes the right to be unequal” — Margaret Thatcher (1979)
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Copyright information
© 1986 New Society
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Williams, M. (1986). The Ruling Class. In: Society Today. Palgrave, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-08845-4_36
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-08845-4_36
Publisher Name: Palgrave, London
Print ISBN: 978-0-333-42046-1
Online ISBN: 978-1-349-08845-4
eBook Packages: Palgrave Social & Cultural Studies CollectionSocial Sciences (R0)