States that there are classes throughout the nation, and that an elite class will rule the society regardless of the formal niceties of governmental organization.
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The upper-class (wealthy) control the power in an Elite and Class Theory. Over a third of the nation's wealth is currently held by just one percent of the American Population. Elite and Class theorists believe that this one percent of Americans controls most policy decisions because they can afford to finance election campaigns and control key institution, such as large corporations.
Elite theory
an oligarchy
In ancient Rome, the Patricians were the elite class of noble families. They were supported by the Plebians, who were of the lower and middle classes.
In sociology and political science, elitist theory of government argues that power is held by a small group of people. Elite theorists included Elmer Eric Schattschneider, Thomas R. Dye, and James Burnham.