Demokratyczny elityzm: geneza i podstawy paradygmatu
Democratic Elitism: Genesis and Paradigm’s Basis

Summary/Abstract: The article presents the major tenets of the contemporary theory of elites, known as democratic elitism. First, it outlines the discussion on elites in democracies in the 1960. and the 1970., which commenced a contemporary approach in elite studies. Next, a concise summary of „a new politics”, i.e. macrosocial and macropolitical changes triggered off by globalization and transformations within party systems, is presented. The main part of the article focuses on the relations within elites and the John Higley’s concept of “configuration of elites”, which makes up an important analytical tool and is considered a major factor co-determining the shape of political regimes and democratic performance. In the conclusions, the crucial message of the democratic elite paradigm is articulated: elite variables have to be included in academic research, otherwise explanations would miss major determinants and turn out incomplete.

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