From Local Elites to a Globally Convergent Class: A Historical Analytical Perspective

Since the Roman Republic, members of groups at the top of the social stratum have interacted and continue to interact with each other socially and business wise, deeply conscious of and responsive to each other’s interest (Mills, 1956). These intricately connected networks, the so-called elite connections, come about through the influential roles individuals hold in the political, commercial and/or military structures of the day. Yet, despite their intimate knowledge of each other and the closed-shop nature of their exalted position, elite groupings are not necessarily a cohesive whole. Considerable tensions exist between those who shape whole societies. Even Athenian democracy was twice interrupted by oligarchic coups organised by elites against elites during the turbulent period of the Peloponnesian Wars. And why? Because one cluster of elites viewed democracy as inherently arbitrary government by the masses (Morrow, 1962). The Athenian coup of 411 BC, led by a number of prominent and wealthy Athenians holding positions of power over the Athenian army, overthrew the democratic government and replaced it with a short-lived oligarchy. Within several days, that was thwarted by Samian democrats and pro-democratic leaders controlling the Athenian fleet (Kagan, 2003). Previously in 404 BC, a small group of thirty pro-Spartan oligarchs, installed in Athens after its defeat in the Peloponnesian War, organised a coup which was overcome within the year and democracy restored (Rhodes, 2006). Plato watched with horror as constitutional justice degenerated into a reign of terror (Morrow, 1962).