Duka A. Elity v strukture politicheskikh vozmozhnostey [Elites in the political opportunity structure], Vlast’ i elity [Power and Elites], 2023, 10 (2): 24–43. (In Russian)

Òåêñò ñòàòüè íà ñàéòå æóðíàëà URL: http://socinst.ru/publications/powerelites/tom10-2/article2/ (äàòà îáðàùåíèÿ 29.12.2023)

Abstract

The activity of political-administrative elites and other actors in a crisis situation in open and closed political systems is considered. For the former, the structure of political opportunities is essential, which is a system of interacting organizations, institutions and actors that create conditions for the emergence, organization and implementation of the demands of social groups to change the conditions of their existence. For the latter, authoritarian consolidation plays a stabilizing role in maintaining the system and preserving power groups. Researchers point to the fundamental importance of the political context and the key role of the structural characteristics of the political system, and the degree of control on its part over the activity of the population. It is important how open the public and political space is for the realization of individual and group interests and demands. In other words, how possible it is to do something and achieve something. The ability to do something, to implement it, is an important characteristic of the political space. There are two aspects to the problem here. Firstly, opportunities to realize individual ambitions. Secondly, opportunities for social groups to influence decisions made, correct the course of government authorities, and change policies. The role of elites in both cases is cardinal. The direction of the activity of the elites, their predisposition to a certain structuring of the socio-political order, determines the structure of political opportunities. On the other hand, the structure of political opportunities determines the pool of recruitment and sets the career paths for people in power.