INVESTMENTS (Fair Value Investments, excluding Equity Method Investments Held at Fair Value) (Details) - Ares Management L.P - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Investments
Fair value investments	$ 1,811,829	$ 1,724,571
Partnership interests
Investments
Fair value investments	$ 1,567,449	$ 1,527,777
Percentage of total investments	86.50%	88.60%
Common Stock
Investments
Fair value investments	$ 1,396	$ 1,636
Percentage of total investments	0.10%	0.10%
Partnership interests
Investments
Fair value investments	$ 347,406	$ 340,354
Percentage of total investments	19.20%	19.70%
Equity method - carried interest
Investments
Fair value investments	$ 1,113,435	$ 1,077,236
Percentage of total investments	61.40%	62.50%
Equity method private investment partnership interests - other
Investments
Fair value investments	$ 69,342	$ 74,439
Percentage of total investments	3.80%	4.30%
Other private investment partnership Interests
Investments
Fair value investments	$ 37,266	$ 35,748
Percentage of total investments	2.10%	2.10%
Collateralized loan obligations
Investments
Fair value investments	$ 242,984	$ 195,158
Percentage of total investments	13.40%	11.30%