The Clan Structure of the Elites of a Democratic Society

Abstract

The elite in a democratic society is contradictory, and one might even say paradoxical phenomenon. On the one hand, the elite, due to their monopoly on the resource, controls and determines the life of society. Consequently, they are the most important, necessary part of the social mechanism. On the other hand, the very existence of the elite contradicts the principles of democracy, especially in the extreme form in which these principles are understood now. This contradiction is difficult to resolve, but a solution was nevertheless found — elite groups must be protected from society. A mechanism is needed that would help to concentrate efforts to protect the elite from the aggression of the democratically-minded part of society. But the mechanism of mutual assistance is not enough. Therefore, a more important defence tool is needed — disguise, which will not allow the majority to find targets for their attacks. Both of these tasks are accomplished through the form of organization of the elite. Each elite group is a clan. The main function of a clan is to protect its members and the clan itself from external danger.