ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book explores Pareto's astonishingly varied intellectual contribution from a range of disciplinary perspectives, the main intention being to show why it remains relevant and should not simply be consigned to the history of ideas. It focuses on detail at the evolution of Pareto's morphological schema. The book discusses Pareto's structural-functionalist theory of the social system. It explores the philosophical connection between Machiavelli and Pareto. Joseph V. Femia explores the philosophical connection between Machiavelli and Pareto, arguing that their realistic approach to human behaviour and human possibilities provides a healthy counterweight to the model of abstract political moralism that now dominates political theory. The book offers fresh perspectives on the ideological formulations that Pareto called 'derivations', examining issues of communication and argumentation that arise within the Treatise in particular. It concludes with some reflections on Pareto's contribution to economic analysis.
