Franco-Italian sociologist and economist Vilfredo Pareto is considered to be one the of the most controversial political thinkers of the twentieth century, as Tomislav Sunic writes in his article – Vilfredo Pareto and Political Irrationality. He had serious impact upon conservative thinkers, but during the years of the Second World War his ideas were used widely by the Italian Fascists. Pareto was critical towards the modern egalitarian positions, but in fact his aim was not just to attack it, rather to investigate the basis of the political ideas and positions. Sometimes Pareto is associated with Freud in relation to his ambition to uncover the incorrect social behaviors, which are hidden under the mask of outstanding political ideologies and political ideals. The article investigates the ideas of Vilfred Pareto regarding modern ideologies, the relation between ideology and history, power politics, the new class and finally the vengeance of democratic sciences.
There are several really surprising aspects in the theories of Pareto, presented by the author of the article. First of all in his theory there are psychic impulses, or as he calls them residues, which stand as the basis for the ideological derivatives. Pareto assumes that such aspects as self-evident truths, economic and historical determinism and so on are just the derivatives, which express psychic forces, formed at a certain period of time. Secondly Pareto agreed with Oswald Spengler that the complications of any beliefs of ideologies are meaningful as long as they pass over time. This position of the thinker forced a lot of researchers to distance from his views, as they were not ready to accept his illusory presentation of progress and his views about the real nature of liberalism and socialism. The idea that foreign countries have strong impact upon each other is rather old. Pareto underlined that nations and empires are not able to die from any kind of foreign conquest. Rather they commit suicide. If any nation or state is not inclined towards sever struggle, as this often happens to liberal societies, then appears a state, which is more powerful and able to attract people, making them change their positions and follow it. Even if initially this statement might sound absurd, upon further consideration it seems to be true. Pareto builds the connection between violence and weakness, which is meaningful for understanding of the relations between various nations and states. I think that there is real connection between violence and weakness, as this is natural flow of things in the world and all the animals, as well as humans, are subdued to it. One more aspect of Pareto’s philosophy is related to historical facts and his attitude towards preaching peace and love. He states that not a single nation was ever able to reach legitimacy under the condition of preaching peace and love, and Pareto is convinced that the future of the humanity is related first of all to violence and not to any form of democracy. Democracy is weak, thus it has all the chances to be defeated by any form of violence. Finally, Pareto presents his analysis of the power of residues. He aimed at revealing of the type of pathology, which is inherent to those individuals, who supported scientific socialism.
Nowadays America, as well as other Western societies, pays a lot of attention towards managing terrorism, claiming that they are going to beat violence with the help of their democracy. In reality it is most probably not possible, as violence “understands” strength. Socially-responsible individuals should be ready to fight for their ideals and positions, otherwise, they would be subdued to other ideals and would be forced to accept them.
Works cited:
Sunic, Tomislav. Vilfredo Pareto and Political Irrationality. New York, 1988
The terms offer and acceptance. (2016, May 17). Retrieved from
"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016.
freeessays.club (2016) The terms offer and acceptance [Online].Available at:
"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016
"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016
"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016
"The terms offer and acceptance." freeessays.club, 17 May 2016