Once You Study the "Circulation of Elites Theory," Something Weird Happens | Harry Miller
Summary
This video explores elite theory, focusing on how ruling classes consolidate power through the circulation of elites and the manipulation of social groups. It discusses concepts like the professional managerial class, Pareto's circulation of elites, and Juvenal's high-low-middle theory to explain how elites manage dissent by co-opting or distracting potential opposition. The video uses historical examples like Tiberius Gracchus and discusses the role of anger, articulation, and art in challenging or being co-opted by power structures, ultimately suggesting that impactful art often disrupts and provokes.
Key Insights
Pareto's theory of elite circulation involves integrating talented individuals from the ruled class.
Vilfredo Pareto's theory of the circulation of elites posits that living elites must constantly circulate talent. This integration of talented individuals from the ruled class serves to prevent them from organizing a revolt against the elites, effectively co-opting potential opposition by having them conform to elite standards.
The greatest threat to elites emerges from the most capable individuals within the ruled class.
According to elite theory, the primary danger to an incumbent ruling class comes not from the general populace, but from the most talented or capable individuals within the ruled class who have the potential to organize resistance.
Revolts occur when talented individuals from the ruled class are denied access to the elite.
A key trigger for revolts or significant social upheaval is when the most capable individuals from the ruled class find their path to joining the elite circle blocked. This creates immense frustration and 'angstiness,' which is dangerous for incumbent power structures.
The elite need the populace to be angry and divided to maintain control.
The video suggests that elites benefit from a divided and angry populace. Anger, when unarticulated or unfocused, can be a tool for distraction or can be channeled into unproductive conflict, preventing unified action against the elite.
Art that is truly original will initially confuse or bewilder, not satisfy existing demands.
Genuine artistic innovation is likely to confuse or bewilder audiences at first because it is ahead of its time. Art that perfectly meets current demands is seen as derivative and already outdated, whereas real art should cause a ruckus and generate disorder.
Sections
Introduction to Elite Theory and Power Consolidation
Elite theory explains how ruling classes consolidate and centralize power over time.
The discussion starts by introducing the concept of elite theory, referencing historical examples like Tiberius Gracchus and Shays' Rebellion, where rich oligarchs accumulate land. This leads to the idea of a 'professional managerial class' (PMC) and the general principle that power's primary goal is self-consolidation and centralization, creating a division between the rulers and the ruled.
Pareto's theory of elite circulation involves integrating talented individuals from the ruled class.
Vilfredo Pareto's theory of the circulation of elites posits that living elites must constantly circulate talent. This integration of talented individuals from the ruled class serves to prevent them from organizing a revolt against the elites, effectively co-opting potential opposition by having them conform to elite standards.
The 'organized minority' is the driving force behind societal effects.
Vilfredo Pareto's elite theory suggests that a small, organized minority is responsible for the significant effects observed in society, contrasting with the general mass. This minority acts as the primary agent of change or control within the social structure.
The greatest threat to elites emerges from the most capable individuals within the ruled class.
According to elite theory, the primary danger to an incumbent ruling class comes not from the general populace, but from the most talented or capable individuals within the ruled class who have the potential to organize resistance.
Gerontocracy exacerbates generational conflict, a recurring theme throughout history.
The video touches on the concept of gerontocracy, where rule by the elderly is prevalent. This is linked to mythological structures like the generational war between Uranus and Saturn, suggesting an inherent conflict between generations that plays out within power structures.
Juvenal's Theory and Elite Social Squeeze
Juvenal's high-low-middle theory describes power dynamics within the ruler-ruled hierarchy.
Building on elite theory, Juvenal's high-low-middle theory outlines a hierarchy within ruler and ruled: central, subsidiary, and periphery. Central power represents the ruling elite, while the subsidiary is the main populace, and the periphery consists of others.
Elites use peripheral groups to control or suppress the dominant middle class.
By appealing to and empowering peripheral groups, elites can effectively 'squeeze' or control the subsidiary or middle class. This strategy divides the ruled population, preventing a unified front against the ruling elite.
Revolts occur when talented individuals from the ruled class are denied access to the elite.
A key trigger for revolts or significant social upheaval is when the most capable individuals from the ruled class find their path to joining the elite circle blocked. This creates immense frustration and 'angstiness,' which is dangerous for incumbent power structures.
Elites use peripheral forces to distract from the core threat of capable ruled individuals.
Incumbent power structures resolve the threat posed by frustrated, talented individuals from the ruled class by empowering peripheral forces. This serves as a distraction, diverting attention and energy away from the true source of potential revolution.
Case Study: Tiberius Gracchus and Roman Land Reform
Tiberius Gracchus's land reform proposal aimed to redistribute land to dispossessed Roman veterans.
The case of Tiberius Gracchus is presented as an example: wealthy oligarchs were seizing land, aided by cheap slave labor, dispossessing Roman veterans (the subsidiary class). Gracchus proposed distributing land to these veterans to give them stake and stability.
Gracchus's assassination by the Senate demonstrates the elite's violent suppression of reform.
The Roman Senate assassinated Tiberius Gracchus for his distributive land reform efforts. This event exemplifies how ruling elites, represented here by the oligarchs and the Senate, will use extreme measures to prevent challenges to their power and the existing social order.
The elite need the populace to be angry and divided to maintain control.
The video suggests that elites benefit from a divided and angry populace. Anger, when unarticulated or unfocused, can be a tool for distraction or can be channeled into unproductive conflict, preventing unified action against the elite.
Anger, Articulation, and Social Movements
Uncontrolled anger acts like a rugby turnover: it advances the ball but loses possession.
Using a rugby analogy, uncontrolled or inarticulate anger is compared to advancing the ball too quickly without support, leading to a loss of possession. Productive change requires articulation and building support, not just spontaneous emotional outburst.
Effective change requires articulating anger and calmly educating groups.
True progress and societal change stem from the ability to articulate anger and concerns. This allows for the gathering of support and the calm education of groups, fostering collective action rather than isolated, ineffective outbursts.
Emotional expression is necessary to initially attract attention to important issues.
To get attention for critical issues, especially those involving injustice or harm, emotional expression is vital. This initial emotional resonance draws people in, prompting them to pay attention to the underlying problem.
Unorganized, emotional reactions can drown out in noise and become counterproductive.
If emotional reactions are not channeled effectively and become perpetually unorganized, they tend to 'drown out in the noise.' This leads to a desensitization where people stop regarding the issues, rendering the efforts counterproductive.
Coherent force requires organization, like magnetic dipoles aligning in metal.
Similar to how unmagnetized metal's atoms are disorganized and inert, unorganized social movements lack coherent force. Magnetism, representing organized power, arises when dipoles (or individuals) align in the same direction, creating a unified and effective force.
The Nature and Impact of Art and Expression
Art that truly matters often leads to severe consequences for the creator.
Creating art or expressing ideas that genuinely challenge the status quo or speak truth to power frequently results in significant personal costs for the creator, such as execution, imprisonment, or exile, exemplified by figures like Salman Rushdie.
Art that 'hits a nerve' and resonates deeply is profoundly inspiring.
Art that connects with a large audience on a deep, resonant level, validating their feelings or insights ('what he said right there'), is considered highly inspiring. This indicates the art has successfully struck a chord with shared human experiences or truths.
Impactful art should challenge and unsettle, even scare, the audience.
Following Gustave Flaubert's idea, good art should provoke, challenge, and even scare people. This discomfort arises from its ability to hit sensitive nerves or disrupt complacency, unsettling the audience's perceptions.
Social media's low barrier to entry allows for lateral, non-hierarchical expression.
Social media platforms are praised for their lack of gatekeeping and hierarchical structures. Their lateral nature and low barrier to entry enable a wider range of voices and expressions to emerge and circulate freely.
Art that is truly original will initially confuse or bewilder, not satisfy existing demands.
Genuine artistic innovation is likely to confuse or bewilder audiences at first because it is ahead of its time. Art that perfectly meets current demands is seen as derivative and already outdated, whereas real art should cause a ruckus and generate disorder.
Genius lies in producing something so clear it evokes hindsight and feels pure.
Conversely, genius can also be recognized in art that, upon reflection, feels overwhelmingly clear, obvious, and pure. This type of art provides a sense of hindsight, making its brilliance apparent even if it initially felt novel or unexpected.
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