Designed as a textbook for courses in political theory, political
sociology and comparative politics, and as a contribution in its
own right, this book explores the role of elite relations as a key
to understanding democracy.

Following a critical review of the literature on classes,
democracy and elites, the author argues that although Western
democracy is not `governed by the people' and has not created
equality, it is unique in that (more than any other regime) it has
generated a relative separation of power holders, or a relative
autonomy of elites and sub-elites in the control of resources.
Developing this argument the author discloses strengths and
weaknesses in democracy's infrastructure.

The Elite Connection contains a warning that a major
danger to democracy stems from the tendency of elites to make
incursions into the autonomy of other elites, and to develop
excessively close dependency relations, either in subjugation of
them, or in collusion with them, which result in threats to civil
liberties and to the very foundations of democracy. It argues,
however, that democracy has the built-in potential to counter its
own subversions. Although it focuses on elites, the book has an
egalitarian perspective: it concludes with the argument that the
separation of elites makes possible struggles for greater equality.
The still relatively independent elites of social movements have
the potential of pushing democracy towards greater participation
and equality.