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.

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.

Table of 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.