23 (2006) Comparative Studies of Social and Political Elites

Edited by
Fredrik Engelstad, Institute for Social Research, Oslo, Norway
Trygve Gulbrandsen, Institute for Social Research, Oslo, Norway

Description
In contrast to the traditional elite theories of Pareto and Mosca, contemporary elite theories have as their point of departure that elites and democracy are not incompatible. Elites are conceived primarily as coalitions of incumbents of top positions in the various social sectors, such as politics, media, civil service, and business. Together, these sector elites as a whole may constitute a more or less well-integrated elite on the societal level.

The present volume focuses on changes in elite composition and functioning in Europe, both historically and across countries. Two trends are clearly brought out: The recruitment into social elites has broadened, and sector elites have been more specialized. One the one hand, this implies a democratization of elite formation, on the other a possible weakening of social and political governance, due to growing social complexity.

The articles on political elites cover a broad range of themes, from the tensions created by the conflicts between the EU policies and national political agendas, to the recruitment of women into political elite positions. The aesthetic aspects of political elites are explored. The relationship between business elites and politics are shown to vary substantively both within the northern and eastern parts of Europe. In a separate review section, problems linked to the relationship between elites and democracy are highlighted.

Contents

• Introdution: Social and political elites in modern democracies (Fredrik Engelstad)
• Left-right-left? The march of female representatives into European parliaments and the role of leftist party affiliations (Verona Christmas-Best)
• Elite transformation in Denmark 1932-1999 (Peter Munk Christiansen and Lise Togeby)
• Importance of contacts and women's political representation: a study of Sweden and Norway (Birgitta Niklasson)
• Do elite beliefs matter? Elites and economic reforms in the Baltic states and Russia (Anton Steen)
• Consensus or polarization? Business and labour elites in Germany and Norway(Trygve Gulbrandsen and Ursula Hoffmann-Lange)
• Domestic elites in their transformation of the "European polity": The case of Italy (Maurizio Cotta)
• Political elites and conspicious modesty: Norway, Sweden, Finland in comparative perspective (Jean-Pascal Daloz)
• Seductive heroes and ordinary human beings: Charismatic political leadership in France and Norway (Anne Krogstad and Aagoth Storvik)
• Democracy and elites (John Higley)
• Elites and democracy: Are they compatible? (Iikka Ruostetsaari)

This volume and earlier volumes can be ordered from the publisher, Emerald Group Publishing, via Turpin Distribution

turpinna@turpin-distribution.com (US, and Latin-Amerika),
custserv@turpin-distribution.com (the rest of the world)

Year 2007
Hardbound
ISBN: 0-7623-1379-X
275 pages
Price: USD 99,95 / EUR 82,95