EN
A shift from fox-like to lion-like elites, conspicuous in contemporary politics and best exemplified by the ascendency of G. W. Bush in the USA, forms the starting point for a reflection on the classical concept of elite circulation proposed by Vilfredo Pareto. Following a short interpretive summary of Pareto's main arguments, the article offers a synthetic account of the departure of foxes and ascendency of lions on the Polish political scene. .