Taking Stock: Elite Studies and Social Change

This article provides a systematic synthesis of contemporary elite sociology through the analytical lens of change and stability. We distinguish between two types of change: change within elites, referring to transformations in elite composition, circulation, or internal characteristics; and change by elites, designating processes whereby elites reshape broader social structures, norms, or inequalities. Through a systematic review of 164 empirical articles published in leading sociology journals between 2000 and 2024, we demonstrate that contemporary elite sociology engages extensively with temporal perspectives, though in asymmetric ways. By systematically examining combinations of elite types and research topics, we reveal systematic patterns: studies addressing nationality emphasize evolution and shifting configurations, while research on kinship and class more frequently examines continuity and reproduction. Crucially, we find that broader social change associated with elites is predominantly portrayed as an unintentional consequence rather than the result of deliberate strategic action. Based on these findings, we outline four directions for future research: reversing the temporal lens to investigate understudied dynamics; situating elite processes along a temporal spectrum that captures both continuity and transformation; examining the degree of intentionality in elites as agents of change; and integrating forward-looking perspectives to understand how elites imagine and actively shape trajectories. This synthesis advances elite sociology by revealing how temporal perspectives fundamentally structure our understanding of power relations and by identifying critical gaps in how we conceptualize elites' relationship to social transformation.