THEORETICAL SOURCES OF THE CONCEPT OF THE POLITICAL ELITE: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

Abstract

This article analyzes the theoretical sources of the concept of political elite with the help of various scientific views. Consequently, from a scientific point of view, various ideas and doctrines characteristic of the political elite, widely spread in the history of political science, were studied. In particular, this study provides detailed and comprehensive definitions of the phenomenon of "political elite" in the interpretation of scientists, indicating the main characteristics of elites. In addition, the article considers a number of scientific views on the fact that the science of "elitology" is a special scientific direction that studies the social stratum that exercises political control, and identifies elitist-specific qualities that form factors for ensuring the stability of society. In political science, the issue of the relationship between elitism and democracy, which is the subject of numerous discussions, is clarified, scientific-theoretical and scientific-practical conclusions have been made.