Role of elites in the structure of a political system - a model of a functional theory

Abstract

The article tries to characterize political elites perceived as an integral element of the political system structure basing on main assumptions of the structural and functional research paradigm. According to these assumptions, the political elites are complementary and mutually coherent components of the political system. The analysis of genetic and functional relations and interdependences of wielding power processes locates the class of elites in a strategic position in the structure of political community. Comparative confrontations of functional theories of elites make it also possible to separate basic functions of the elites realized within the political system.