System Size and Ruling Elites

Abstract

A baseline model is developed to show that, when other variables are held constant, Mosca's proposition on the relationship between the relative size of ruling elites and the sizes of the systems they govern follows from the definitions of the variables. The model provides a baseline against which empirical trends may be assessed. The implications of this model for the much studied relationship between administrative ratios and organizational size are discussed. While the model cannot be applied to this relation on a purely definitional basis, it can be applied in conjunction with Michels' prediction of minority rule. If Michels' prediction holds, the observed results from most studies can be deduced from the baseline model. Michels' expectation is sufficient to account for the general nature of the relationship between the relative size of the administrative component and organizational size. Some specific models are illustrated to indicate the effects of observing various maximum relative sizes of administrative components.