Political Elites

Definition

Political elites are a small group of individuals or organizations that hold significant power and influence within a political system, often shaping policy decisions and governance. These elites typically have access to resources, networks, and information that enable them to maintain their status and exert control over political processes, which is particularly evident in competitive authoritarianism and hybrid regimes where formal democratic institutions exist but are undermined by the dominant elite.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. In competitive authoritarian regimes, political elites manipulate elections and use state resources to maintain their dominance while allowing limited democratic practices.
2. Political elites often form networks that facilitate the exchange of resources and information, further entrenching their power within hybrid regimes.
3. The influence of political elites can lead to the marginalization of opposition groups and weaken democratic institutions, making it difficult for genuine democracy to take root.
4. In many cases, political elites rely on populist rhetoric to maintain popular support while simultaneously undermining democratic processes.
5. The existence of a robust civil society can challenge the dominance of political elites by promoting transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement in governance.

Review Questions

• How do political elites influence governance in competitive authoritarian regimes?
  • In competitive authoritarian regimes, political elites exert influence over governance by manipulating electoral processes and utilizing state resources to secure their position. They create an appearance of democratic practices while effectively undermining opposition through legal and extralegal means. This dual approach allows them to maintain power while limiting genuine democratic competition, thereby entrenching their authority within the political system.
• Evaluate the relationship between political elites and civil society in hybrid regimes.
  • In hybrid regimes, the relationship between political elites and civil society is complex and often contentious. Political elites may attempt to co-opt civil society organizations to legitimize their rule or suppress dissent by restricting freedoms. Conversely, a strong civil society can mobilize citizens and challenge elite dominance, pushing for reforms and greater accountability. This dynamic highlights the struggle for power between entrenched interests and emerging civic movements striving for democratic change.
• Assess the implications of clientelism on the power dynamics between political elites and constituents in hybrid regimes.
  • Clientelism significantly impacts the power dynamics between political elites and constituents by fostering a system of dependency that undermines democratic accountability. In hybrid regimes, political elites may distribute resources or services in exchange for political loyalty, creating a transactional relationship that diminishes citizen engagement in governance. This reliance on clientelistic networks reinforces elite control while discouraging broader participation in the democratic process, perpetuating a cycle where elite interests prevail over genuine public representation.

Related terms

Authoritarianism: A political system characterized by concentrated power in a leader or small elite not accountable to the public, often using repression to maintain control.

Civil Society: The aggregate of non-governmental organizations and institutions that manifest interests and will of citizens, which can challenge or support political elites.

Clientelism: A political system where goods or services are exchanged for political support, often reinforcing the power of political elites by creating dependency among constituents.