The Role of Elites in Democratization: Insights from a Political Science Perspective
This analysis by Vello Pettai and Allan Sikk examines the dynamics of elites in the democratization process, particularly transitioning from communist regimes. It delves into the elite-led nature of political systems, exploring the legacy of past communist structures and their impact on emerging democratic networks. We analyze political experience, cohesion, and diversity among new elites, considering the challenges in teaching democratization. The study highlights critical negotiations, the evolution of political identities, and the need for understanding regional variations in political culture.
The Role of Elites in Democratization: Insights from a Political Science Perspective
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Presentation Transcript
Teaching Elites Democratization Vello Pettai, Allan Sikk Dept of Political Science, Univ. of Tartu
Why elites? • Communist system par excellence an elite-led political system • Politburo--narrow group of leaders • no transparency; arbitrary rule; no accountability • A whole network of elite relations: CPSU • people initiated, trained into a special club • personal links • Secrecy and persecution • secret agent networks
Transition itself: negotiating change • regime liberalization: cracking open the door • hardliners, reformers; moderates, radicals • (A. Przeworski, Democracy and the Market) • ‘pacts’: what deals are made? • secret contacts, frantic negotiations, roundtable talks, formal agreements studies in political strategy, political courage, political maturity
‘They didn’t just disappear...’ • Top-level leaders: exile, retirement, reclusion • Dismantling the old networks and apparatus • organizational issues: property, resources • From party boss to business oligarch • links between communist elite networks and the new capitalist class • urban and rural • Normative, ethical issues • crimes against humanity, individual persecution
What effect do they have now? • The legacy: real or mystified? • social relations remain • social activism remains • but do they still ‘rule’? • How do we study this? • track Communist Party membership??? • categorize types of behavior? • What causality can we ascribe to this?
Democratic elites • Measuring the emergence and prevalence of an alternative elite • not only do the old fade away, but the new come to the fore • Not just dissidents, but also new leaders • young people especially in CEE • Tracking aggregate shifts among elites • experience, cohesion, diversity
Political experience • In what forms and at what pace do new elites gain and demonstrate alternative, democratic political experience? • Indicators: • re-election rates to parliament • rates of repeat candidacy • levels of electoral experience among candidates • education, professional experience, age
Political cohesion • In what ways and at what pace does the new elite demonstrate cohesion? • Indicators: • defection rates among MPs • repeat candidates by party • party choice among new candidates • party seniority among candidates
Political diversity • In what ways and at what pace does the new elite exhibit diversity, representativity across a range of cleavages or interest groups? • Indicators: • gender balances • minorities • regional representation • social strata, wealth • number of candidates per voter
Challenges in teaching democratization • Using Western categories? • Using Western standards? • Procedures versus substance • Institutions versus values/political culture • Variation between countries • Conclusions can prove wrong
