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

• Superior document: International studies in sociology and social anthropology, v. 111
• TeilnehmendeR: Best, Heinrich.; Higley, John.
• Year of Publication: 2010
• Edition: 1st ed.
• Language: English
• Series: International studies in sociology and social anthropology ; v. 111.
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (247 p.)
• Notes: Selected papers from an international conference took place during June 2007 in the Old Castle of Dornburg, Germany.
• Other title: Preliminary Material /; Introduction: Democratic Elitism Reappraised /; “They Ain’T Making Elites Like They Used To”: The Never Ending Trouble With Democratic Elitism /; Beyond The Happy Consensus About Democratic Elitism /; Democratic Elitism – Conflict And Consensus /; Elites’ Illusions About Democracy /; Associated Rivals: Antagonism And Cooperation In The German Political Elite /; Political Versus Media Elites In Norway /; Elite Formation And Democratic Elitism In Central And Eastern Europe: A Comparative Analysis /; Hungary: Between Consolidated And Simulated Democracy /; The Assault On Democratic Elitism In Poland /; Democracy By Elite Co-Optation: Democratic Elitism In Multi-Ethnic States /; Epilogue: Democratic Elitism And Western Political Thought /; Index /
• Bibliography: Includes bibliographical references and index.
• ISBN: 1282786458; 9786612786457; 9047441745
• ISSN: 0074-8684
• Hierarchical level: Monograph
• Statement of Responsibility: edited by Heinrich Best and John Higley.

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.