How Elite Configurations Explain Shifts from Democracy to Authoritarian or Totalitarian Regimes: Turkey as a Case Study

Gerlich, Michael

doi:10.4236/ojps.2021.112019

Cited by 4 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 61 publications

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“…However, the nature of this mediation and determinism differs across countries, and elites are transformed in the course of economic and political change (Colton & Tucker, 2019). When analyzing and explaining the changing forms of power relations, it is important to investigate the role of elites in building and maintaining different systems of governance (Gerlich, 2021).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The literature review showed that Higley and Burton's framework of elite configurations is one of the most comprehensive. Its implementation is universal and has been applied to different regions of the world and all forms of states (Burton & Higley, 2001;Cianetti et al, 2020;Gerlich, 2021;Higley, 2010a;Higley & Burton, 2006;Higley & Pakulski, 1995;Smit, 2019). Disunited elites lack consensual values and disagree about how the state should be governed.…”

Section: The Elite Typology and Configurationmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Devoid Elites and the Need for a New Elite Configuration: An Analysis of Post-Soviet Societies on the Example of Azerbaijan

Gerlich

2023

J Ethn Cult Stud

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This paper provides a comprehensive study of the Azerbaijani ruling elites. This study aims to describe the post-Soviet Azerbaijani elites, their interaction, and their influence to elaborate a basis for studying the impact on the government and the economy. The study focuses on the definition and origin of the Azerbaijani elites after the collapse of the Soviet Union, the analysis of their interactions, and the definition of behavior and hierarchy. The study relies on Higley and Burton’s (2006) elite configurations framework and Wedel’s (2003) concept of clans. It draws on qualitative analysis and applies analytical autoethnographic approaches to analyze and interpret the information received. The study used data from 113 informal dialogue interviews with those who worked closely with the elite and the elite representatives. These data provided detailed descriptions of their life and behavior in Central Asia and the South Caucasus. The total number of respondents was 1,817 people. Not all elites have equal access to power. Some, called “hyperagents,” control most decisions. Others, whom the author defines as “devoid elites”, have very little or no real power, although they have some privileges that the elites are endowed with in society. The researcher proposes a new elite configuration entitled “imposed unity elites”, which better describes the majority of Azerbaijani elites. This elite configuration implies the existence and behavior of devoid elites. It also describes elites that seem to be united in public but lacks any basic ideology or common goals. The research contributes to the further development of Higley and Burton’s (2006) framework of elite configurations and the theory of the influence of elites. The possible application of the obtained research results will allow scientists to better understand the development characteristics of the elite configuration in the post-Soviet space and their impact on the state.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: The Elite Typology and Configurationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Devoid Elites and the Need for a New Elite Configuration: An Analysis of Post-Soviet Societies on the Example of Azerbaijan

Gerlich

2023

J Ethn Cult Stud

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“…For example, Elite configuration is the main factor in shaping the regime and performance of democracy (Wasilewski, 2020); in West Africa (Ghana, and Togo), the level of democracy correlates with elite configuration in the transition phase (Osei, 2018); in Turkey, the elite configuration describes the direction of democracy which is moving towards autocracy (Gerlich, 2021). Other studies on elite configuration with elite policies and interactions, such as studies in Iran, show that elite configuration is essential for understanding the direction of national and international policies in Iran (Golkar, 2016).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Local Elite Configuration on a Small Island in Indonesia

Agusmawanda,

Wardani,

Subekti

et al. 2024

J. of Law and Sust. Develop.

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Purpose: This article discusses the elite configuration of ethnic groups from a small island in North Maluku, Indonesia. This research aims to explore why Makian elites tend to be fragmented in politics, even though they are a tribe that has the same genealogy and comes from a small island in North Maluku. Theoretical Framework: Makian is an ethnic group living on Makian Island; some migrated to various islands in North Maluku. Even though the Makian ethnic group is not the dominant population in North Maluku, the number of elites in the political and bureaucratic sectors in the region is dominant. However, in the political context, the positions of Governor of North Maluku and Mayor of Ternate in the last decade have consistently failed because the political elite tends to be fragmented. Elite theory is the leading theory to explain ethnic group fragmentation. Method: This research uses a descriptive-qualitative method by observing various documents and in-depth interviews with informants. Results: The findings show that the Makian elite has diverse identity backgrounds, such as geographical, professional, and cultural backgrounds. This article argues that the diversity of elite backgrounds, such as geographic, language, and village differences, is related to political fragmentation at the local level. Conclusions: Even though the Makian elite group is an ethnic group in North Maluku, they have different characteristics or backgrounds, such as differences in geographical aspects covering the East and West regions, differences in language Tabayama and language Titinee', cultural differences between villages in the same geographical area, and differences in professional backgrounds. With various characteristics, the Makian elite tends to fragment in the election of the Governor of North Maluku and the Mayor of Ternate based on geographical aspects between those from East and West.

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Populism as a Threat to the Post-War Recovery of Ukraine

Liashenko

2023

Mediaforum

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The article attempts to analyze the emergence and formation of populism in Ukraine. The role of political party leaders in the political transformation of Ukraine is studied, which allows us to understand social transformations caused by populism: populist parties are particularly prone to internal authoritarianism, often relying on a charismatic leader in the style of a strongman. It is noted that the political culture of the elite matters and shapes political institutions, and these political institutions influence both the process of societal consolidation and the type of political regime in general. It is emphasized that numerous elite groups are necessary for the functioning of democracy. The influence of the mass media on the results of the formation of public opinion and national voting is considered. The ability of populists to transition to personalistic authoritarian rule is emphasized, and this process is significantly accelerated during a long-term crisis, especially war. It is noted that one of the signs of growing authoritarianism is a decrease in the rights and influence of the regions and the regional political elite. The article concludes that after the victory, the ruling class and the political elite of Ukraine face two risks: the first is that it is quite possible to expect a further decrease in the level of trust of Ukrainians not only in the Verkhovna Rada, but also in the top political leadership of the country. And the second - there are likely to be splits within the ruling elite, which is usually one of the main factors in the collapse of a personalist or authoritarian regime. It is stated that after the war, opposition sentiments in Ukraine will increase significantly, and the opposition environment will be favorable for its representatives to try to compete for power. It is quite likely that after the end of the war, other elites and other leaders will enter the arena. Taking this into account, the authorities need to adjust to a difficult compromise with civil society, domestic business and foreign partners.

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How Elite Configurations Explain Shifts from Democracy to Authoritarian or Totalitarian Regimes: Turkey as a Case Study

Cited by 4 publications

References 61 publications

Devoid Elites and the Need for a New Elite Configuration: An Analysis of Post-Soviet Societies on the Example of Azerbaijan

Devoid Elites and the Need for a New Elite Configuration: An Analysis of Post-Soviet Societies on the Example of Azerbaijan

Local Elite Configuration on a Small Island in Indonesia

Populism as a Threat to the Post-War Recovery of Ukraine

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