Democratic elitism : new theoretical and comparative perspectives / edited by Heinrich Best and John Higley.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Best, Heinrich.

Higley, John.

Series:

International studies in sociology and social anthropology ; v. 111.

International studies in sociology and social anthropology, 0074-8684 ; v. 111

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Democracy--Congresses.

Democracy.

Elite (Social sciences)--Congresses.

Elite (Social sciences).

Physical Description:

1 online resource (247 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Leiden ; Boston : Brill, 2010.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Joseph Schumpeter's “competitive theory of democracy” – often labeled democratic elitism - has struck many as an apt and insightful description of how representative democracy works, even though convinced democrats detect an elitist thrust they find disturbing. But neither Schumpeter nor subsequent defenders of democratic elitism have paid enough attention to actual behaviors of leaders and elites. Attention has been riveted on how adequately democratic elitism captures the relationship between governors and governed in its insistence that competitive elections prevent the relationship from being one-way, that is, leaders and elites largely unaccountable to passive and submissive voters. Why and how leaders and elites create and sustain competitive elections, what happens if their competitions become excessively stage-managed or belligerent – how, in short, leaders and elites really act - are some of the issues this book addresses. Contributors are Heinrich Best, Jens Borchert, Michael Edinger, Fredrik Engelstad, Trygve Gulbrandsen, John Higley, Gabriella Ilonszki, András Körösényi, Mindaugas Kuklys, Gyorgy Lengyel, Anton Steen, and Jacek Wasilewski.

Contents:

Preliminary Material / H. Best and J. Higley

Introduction: Democratic Elitism Reappraised / Heinrich Best and John Higley

“They Ain’T Making Elites Like They Used To”: The Never Ending Trouble With Democratic Elitism / Jens Borchert

Beyond The Happy Consensus About Democratic Elitism / András Körösényi

Democratic Elitism – Conflict And Consensus / Fredrick Engelstad

Elites’ Illusions About Democracy / John Higley

Associated Rivals: Antagonism And Cooperation In The German Political Elite / Heinrich Best

Political Versus Media Elites In Norway / Trygve Gulbrandsen

Elite Formation And Democratic Elitism In Central And Eastern Europe: A Comparative Analysis / Michael Edinger

Hungary: Between Consolidated And Simulated Democracy / György Lengyel and Gabriella Ilonszki

The Assault On Democratic Elitism In Poland / Jacek Wasilewski

Democracy By Elite Co-Optation: Democratic Elitism In Multi-Ethnic States / Anton Steen and Mindaugas Kuklys

Epilogue: Democratic Elitism And Western Political Thought / John Higley

Index / H. Best and J. Higley.

Notes:

Selected papers from an international conference took place during June 2007 in the Old Castle of Dornburg, Germany.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

1-282-78645-8

9786612786457

90-474-4174-5

OCLC:

668220423

Publisher Number:

10.1163/ej.9789004179394.i-230 DOI