UNIT-7A (Lecture-30) | POLITICS AND SOCIETY–

Sociological Theories of Power: Part 2

CHAPTER 7: POLITICS AND SOCIETY
UPSC PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS
➢ Critically examine the relevance of Vilfredo Pareto’s theory of Circulation of Elites in
present scenario. (2021, 10 Marks, 150 Words)

➢ According to Mills, “Elites rule in institutional terms rather than psychological terms”.
Comment. (2020, 20 marks, 250 words)

➢ What are the theoretical models of societal power? Which one of them is most
applicable in advanced industrial societies? (2019, 20 marks, 250 words)

➢ Discuss the concept of Circulation of Elite. (2019, 10 Marks, 150 Words)

UPSC PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS
➢ What according to Pareto, are the basic characteristics of
Elites? Discuss. (2018, 10 marks, 150 words)

➢ Discuss the importance of “Power Elite” in democracy.

(2016, 10 Marks, 150 Words)

➢ “Power is not a zero-sum game”. Discuss with reference to

Weber’s and Parson’s views. (2014, 20 marks, 250 words)
1. Various Sociological Theories of Power
2. Classical Elite Theory (V. Pareto and G. Mosca)
➢ About:
2.1. C. W. Mills on Power Elites
➢ About:
2.2 Critical Evaluation of Elite theory
⮚ Positive:

⮚ Negative:
3. Marxist theory on power
➢ About:
3.1 Critical Evaluation of Marxist theory
⮚ Positive:

⮚ Negative:
3.2 Marxist theory (Ralph Miliband)
3.3 Marxist theory (Nicos Poulantzas)
3.4 Neo Marxist Theory: Antonio Gramsci
➢ About:
Thank You