ABSTRACT
Aristotle had held that rule was one of three types: rule by the one, by the few, or by the many, each of which a degenerate form— tyranny, oligarchy, and mobocracy. The goals of society are established by the elite and accomplished under their direction. The radical perspective contains within it a theory of social change. Social change results from the conflict between then, especially from the energy released as the oppressed unite and challenge the exploiting rulers. The rulers and the ruled make an unequal contribution to the general social order, with the former making much the greater contribution. Elitists are sometimes criticized for having no theory of social change. Custom, the need felt by masses for tried-and-true leadership; the socialized reverence of the masses for extant leadership; and the appeals to experience, indispensibility, and accomplishments are frequently employed by such elites.
