Transformation of the ruling class in modern western society

The article focuses on the analysis of the main factors of transformation of the ruling class in western societies. The modern ruling class is different from ruling classes in previous times: its social structure includes not only owners of means of production but also social strata, which do not possess means of ownership. The author distinguishes the main reasons for evolution of the ruling class - processes of blurring difference between owners and non-owners, development of welfare state, transition to innovative type of an owner and globalization. These processes make social structure of the ruling class in the modern western societies more complex. That is why the modern ruling class is not homogeneous. Within this class, different groups of interest interact, often in controversial forms, and such interaction reflects tension in the modern time. The main feature of modern ruling class is the process of differentiation, which produces a nation state oriented segment and a transnational (global) one. Sustainable activity of the modern ruling class mainly depends on being able to get consensus between its national and global groups.