Regional Political Elites – Their Origin, Characteristics and Impact Cover Image

Regionální politické elity – zrod, charakter a důsledky
Regional Political Elites – Their Origin, Characteristics and Impact

Author(s): Dan Ryšavý
Subject(s): Politics / Political Sciences
Published by: AV ČR - Akademie věd České republiky - Sociologický ústav
Keywords: political elites; regional government; local politics; political parties; Czech Republic

Summary/Abstract: The article focuses on representatives of the regional (and most recently established) level of government in the Czech Republic. It describes the context behind the emergence of regional governments and how they differ from the local and national political levels. It notes the close personnel connection between local and regional political elites. Experience gained in local politics helps elites to succeed at the regional level. The presence of local politicians in regional government varies with the level of residential fragmentation and the degree of urbanisation in the given region. Unlike local politics, which is consistently comprised of a signifi cant proportion of independents, regional representatives are almost exclusively members of political parties and movements. This situation on the one hand serves to increase the politicisation of local politics and on the other leads to greater competition within political parties, whose programmes and national leadership regional politicians wish to influence.

  • Issue Year: 43/2007
  • Issue No: 05
  • Page Range: 993-1116
  • Page Count: 24
  • Language: Czech