ABSTRACT
Kibbutz elites have always aroused interest, owing to the "classless" kibbutz's principle of equality. Early in the life of most kibbutzim, central activists within the founding core established ties with the movement leadership, the authorities, and kibbutz institutions and transformed these relationships into political resources to be utilized in relationships within their community. The proliferation of managerial roles in the various sectors is associated with separatist processes within the kibbutz system in the economic and social spheres. The social capital of members of the political elite diminished rapidly, leaving the traditional leadership bereft of actual influence. The initial assertion regarding Kibbutz stratification was made by Rosenfeld, who found that the founders of the kibbutz who were active in countrywide organizations constituted an aristocracy enjoying prestige and influence. The technocratic elite found itself in a new situation in which the leadership and ideology of the Kibbutz movement were losing their legitimacy.
