The Elite Foundations of Liberal Democracy (Elite Transformations) - Hardcover

Higley, John; Burton, Michael

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0742553604 ISBN 13: 9780742553606

Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2006

Synopsis

This compelling and convincing study, the capstone of decades of research, argues that political regimes are created and sustained by elites. Liberal democracies are no exception; they depend, above all, on the formation and persistence of consensually united elites. John Higley and Michael Burton explore the circumstances and ways in which such elites have formed in the modern world. They identify pressures that may cause a basic change in the structure and functioning of elites in established liberal democracies, and they ask if the elites cluster around George W. Bush are a harbinger of this change. The authors' powerful and important argument reframes our thinking about liberal democracy and questions optimistic assumptions about the prospects for its spread in the twenty-first century.

About this title

Review:

This culmination of decades of work by Higley and Burton on elite politics is a major contribution to modern social science. . . . One notable feature of the book is its realism: liberal democracy is not likely to spread easily, for elite agreement is very hard to achieve. A second notable feature is the empirical range: the conceptual apparatus covers, with real insight, an astonishing number of cases, making for superlative comparative political inquiry quite as much as major theoretical contribution. Highly recommended.--John A. Hall, Dartmouth College "CHOICE "

Higley and Burton provide a comprehensive and rigorous framework through which scholars can make sense of the varieties of elite rule. Their hard-headed analysis of the forces that lie behind liberal democracy is all the more necessary given that U.S. foreign policy is now dedicated to the spread of such institutions around the world.--Peter Rutland, Wesleyan University

Elite Foundations of Liberal Democracy marks a major contribution to the literature on the role of elites in regime changes. John Higley and Michael Burton present a superb treatment, which combines broad historical and comparative overview and in-depth theoretical analysis. The book is required reading for anyone interested in studies of democracy and democratization.--Vladimir Gelman, European University at St. Petersburg

This important study represents the culmination of Higley and Burton's work--the first book-length exposition of the mature version of their elite theory buttressed by the close examination of an astonishing number and variety of historical cases. Well argued, clearly written, and astute, this book is easily accessible for undergraduates, general readers, and all those interested in elites or democratic transitions.--Thomas A. Baylis, University of Texas at San Antonio

Higley and Burton . . . have written a stimulating, well argued, empirically grounded book . . . an historically based study that provides an excellent and comprehensive overview of the qualities within political elites that lead to the establishment of stable democratic rule.--Contemporary Sociology

To understand the primary features of . . . neo-elitism, one must read the important work by John Higley and Michael Burton.--Revue française de science politique

About the Author:

John Higley is professor of government and sociology at the University of Texas at Austin and chair of the Research Committee on Political Elites of the International Political Science Association. Michael Burton is professor of sociology at Loyola College in Maryland.

About this edition

• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 0742553604
• ISBN 13: 9780742553606
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 238