1994•Contemporary Sociology A Journal of ReviewsRequires access

The Elite Connection: Problems and Potential of Western Democracy.

John Higley, Eva Etzioni‐Halevy

Abstract

Acknowledgements. Introduction. Part I: Elites and Classes: Bringing Elites Back In. 1. Why Class Theory has Overshadowed Elite Theory: A Matter of Coincidence. 2. Why Class Theory Should not have Overshadowed Elite Theory: A Matter of Democracy. Part II: The Autonomy of Elites and Western thought. 3. Democratic Elite Theory. 4. Other Theories: A Comparison. Part III: The Demo--Elite Perspective. 5. The Autonomy of Elites and Democracy. 6. Elite Autonomy Versus Co--operation and the Historical Development of Democracy. Part IV: The Autonomy of Elites and the Success (or Failure) of Democracy. 7. Stabilization Versus Breakdown of Democracy: The Cases of Britain and Germany. 8. Problems of Transition to Democracy in eastern Europe: The Cases of the Soviet Union and Poland. Part V: Meanwhile in the West: Problems and Potential of Democracy. 9. Elite Autonomy Under Siege and Problems of Western Democracy. 10. Social Protest Movements and the Potential of Western Democracy. Conclusion. References.

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Key concepts: Elite, Connection (principal bundle), Democracy, Political science, Political economy, Sociology, Mathematics, Law