On the Theory of Governments and Parliamentary Government

Introduction

Mosca published “On the Theory of Governments and Parliamentary Government” in 1884, while still in his twenties, as a study in constitutional law. In its first part he rejects the classical typology of governments and the doctrine of popular sovereignty: in every state a minority that is organised and aware of its common interests rules the majority, and its power rests on qualities valued in a given society, such as military skill, wealth or education. The second part applies this to the parliamentary system of united Italy: deputies, Mosca argues, are in fact chosen by small organised groups, and the government relies on networks of patronage rather than on the voters. The book attracted little attention outside Italy at first, but Mosca later cited it as proof of his priority over Pareto.

Connections

Taken up in

• The Ruling Class (Elements of Political Science)1896 · Gaetano Mosca

More works by Gaetano Mosca

• 1896The Ruling Class (Elements of Political Science)