Elite Circulation in Russia from the Russian Imperial Era to the Soviet Era

Abstract

This paper contributes to Elite Theory within the context of regime change, focusing on Imperial Russian Aristocrats post-1917 Bolshevik Revolution. Utilizing a survey on ancestry conducted by the Levada polling institute, this study investigates the persistence of power structures and their constituents across regime shifts. The analysis reveals a covariation between noble origin within ancestry and occupying high-ranking official roles in the Soviet Union, providing empirical support for Pareto's notion of elite circulation. A proposed causal pathway rooted in Wilfredo Pareto's theory suggests that elites, aiming to preserve their elevated status, can harness adaptability even amidst regime changes. These findings shed new light on the history of the Russian Revolution.