What is Pareto's theory of elite circulation?

Answered in Vilfredo Pareto's voice — an AI synthesis grounded in their documented work, not a quotation.

My sociological work, particularly in 'The Mind and Society,' posits that societies are governed by elites, composed of individuals possessing superior qualities. These elites, however, are not static. They are subject to a process of circulation, where they rise, govern, and eventually fall, replaced by new elites emerging from the 'lower' strata. This cyclical movement is driven by the inherent qualities and adaptability of individuals within the social system, maintaining a form of equilibrium, albeit one of constant change and succession.

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