Types of political elites: concept, ways of forming

Lead the peoples of the elite - people who occupy serious posts with access to closed sources of information. They are quite diverse and formed in different ways. Let's consider what types of political elites are, how they affect the development of society. The question is not fun. The actions and decisions of these people depend on our destinies. In addition, they have a serious impact on the future, which means they form the conditions for the lives of potential children and grandchildren. It is desirable for ordinary citizens to understand which group of people in the country is in charge of management in order to understand the meaning of the events taking place, to predict the likely consequences.

What is the elite?

A word that we often hear in TV shows, we meet in serious articles. Elite - this group of people who have the opportunity to influence society. It is necessary to understand that ordinary access to power levers is not enough. In history, there are many examples of how leaders emerged from the people, pushing away those who were supposed to occupy this place according to the law in force. But to become an elite, you need to have a certain set of qualities and skills. This is education, and communication, and leadership qualities: wisdom, charisma, the ability to analyze, plan actions and negotiate. The ruling elite is in power. Those who do not have the opportunity to take part in government oppose them. These are counter-elite. In addition, there are also cultural figures whose influence on society is sometimes enormous. It is also worth pointing to the military elite. In some states, they play a decisive, dominant role. We can not ignore the scientific community, although their role is not so noticeable nowadays as it was in the last century. Political elite of the country are formed under the influence of the prevailing historical circumstances, economic factors. Sometimes the leading class is completely reformatted under public pressure (a revolutionary situation).

Types of political elites

The issue being discussed by political scientists is often covered and varied. It depends on the degree of development of society, its traditions, thinking, historical path. There are such types of political elites:

• Open, all citizens can get to it.
• Closed is replenished only by representatives of certain groups (aristocracy, for example).

The Indian scholar P. Sharan proposed his own classification. He describes types of political elites:

• The highest occupies leadership positions.
• Average - people who have a certain condition, professional skills, education.
• Administrative - employees of higher state institutions, ministries for example.
• Marginal does not have the above characteristics, but has an impact in society.

The ruling elite

The main positions in any state are dealt with by people who have sufficient skills and influence. They are representatives of all types of elites. Modern society has a complex structure. To keep it under control, it is necessary to influence all segments of the population. From this point of view, constant interaction of managers, adjustment of plans and actions is necessary. Organized this work is the visible ruling elite. The administrative performs executive functions, and the higher generates ideas. Every social stratum seeks to nominate its representatives to the top of power. This also happens during elections. The deputy corps replenishes elite circles of a democratic society at different levels. At the same time, there is a firm belief that only the elite rule the world. These people receive special education and management skills. There are two types of recruitment of elites: the entrepreneurial system and the guild system. Let us consider them in more detail.

Guild system

Practically in all countries to the top of the power to hit is not easy. Formation of the political elite follows the principle of belonging to a certain group or caste. This is a closed selection. He assumes a gradual, rather slow progress on the career ladder. Candidates for entry into the elite circle are checked on the level of education, the ability to communicate with the people, publicly speak and so on. Also relevant are family ties, party experience and other things. This system is considered conservative. The decision about joining the elite club takes the top, inclined to reproduce one type of leadership. There is no competition in it. This leads to gradual degradation of the elites. These people do not have time to respond to the challenges of our time, they do not have enough flexibility. So it was, for example, in the USSR, which contributed to the collapse of the state. The positive side of the guild system is that it does not contribute to the emergence of internal conflicts, its policy is predictable. This method of nominating elites is present in democratic countries with a strong party system.

Entrepreneurial system

Modern society is developing rapidly, facing a lot of problems. In order for it to live normally, it is necessary to conduct a careful selection of managers. An entrepreneurial or entrepreneurial system involves the selection of candidates with certain qualities. One of the main things is the ability to please the public. Any social stratum can put its representative to the very top. The competition in this system is very high. The selection is conducted by the entire population of the country. Such a system is characteristic of developed democracies. For example, one of the US presidents was an actor (R. Reagan). With the entrepreneurial selection system, the professional preparedness of the future manager is of no particular importance. He should like people, be able to respond to public requests and challenges. The disadvantage of the system is the probability that random, unprepared persons will come to power.

On the role of political elites

It should be noted that it is very important for the development of the state who manages it. The role of the political elite is very important and multifaceted. These people influence the welfare of citizens, culture, education. They have the right to control the security of the country. In fact, people's lives depend on them. It is important that modern political elites possess a high level of professionalism. The world is rather complicated. If the number of erroneous decisions is high, then you can simply destroy it. In most countries, the formation of the political elite is based on a combined principle. That is, part of it is selected from certain groups, vivid personalities come to power from the people. This allows you to observe the principles of democracy, at the same time, maintain balance and stability in society. It's no secret that wrong, destructive policies have repeatedly led to the destruction of the state. Today these mistakes are tried to be avoided by involving the population in the evaluation of managers.

Mistakes of elites are a disaster for the people

It is very important that the elite of the country be united, follow strictly defined rules, and not enter into serious conflicts. In any country, influential positions are living people with both advantages and disadvantages. They deal with various issues affecting society. They must be able to work out a common opinion, coordinated with the aspirations of the population. That is, open and closed elites are obliged to act together, resolving conflicts within themselves, without involving the people. As a negative example, we can mention the long-suffering Ukraine. Her elites have fought for power for many years. The president of the country became that representative of the western regions, then the eastern regions. Politicians could not agree, which led to the emergence of armed clashes. That is, the elite circle simply could not cope with their duties.

What determines the quality of managers

A democratic society seeks to establish a balance between different groups and strata. It is necessary to find a consensus in carrying out any task. Politicians depend on peace and stability in the state. Management of the country needs to be trusted by trained, literate and talented people. That is, the elite should be specially prepared. At the same time you can not give up social lifts. Competition helps to improve the quality of managers, generating, more importantly, new ideas. The quality of the elites, no matter how much the reader may object, depends on the population. It is his reaction to these people that is the main and most important measure of the effectiveness of their work. For example, do not mindlessly vote for a candidate who you've never seen in your yard. He does not fulfill his duties, which means he is not worthy of a place in the elite circle.

Professional management services

It has already been mentioned that the typology of the political elite has a complex structure. This helps to not lose control over the country when a ruler is changed. The work of state bodies is provided mainly by professionals. These are people who have special knowledge, skills, experience. Without their help, no bright leader can do without. In the structure of any political party, for example, there is an apparatus. Its top is known to all on speeches and publications. The activities of leaders are provided by ordinary specialists, sometimes called bureaucrats. They conduct enormous organizational and analytical work. These people should also be referred to the elite. After all, they influence the decisions and actions of their leader. Sometimes they say that any type of elite is blurred. Along with influential people occupying high posts, there are relatives and staff. They also exert a certain influence on their policies.

Features of the change of elites

As a rule, circles of influential people are replenished constantly and gradually. People are cooking, picking up, testing. But there were exceptions in history. Revolution pushes to the top of the power of bold and determined people. They occupy the highest positions. Naturally, the revolutionary process is a serious shock to society. To prevent it, it is necessary to constantly improve the management system. New people should come to it, bring ideas popular in society.

Conclusion

The reader is probably asking: how to get into the circle of the elect? In the modern world, this is not impossible. If you look at the elites of most countries, you will see that they differ from most ordinary citizens in education, activity, courage, and a tendency to analyze. It is necessary to cultivate these qualities from youth. Maybe you will not become president, but you will take an honorable and worthy place in the society.