Using a theoretical and empirical approach, this book investigates the structure and impact of political elites in contemporary democracies. It looks at two assumptions of the inevitability of political elites and the necessity of their constant adjustment to social and political challenges in order to survive and resolves this by addressing perspectives on the possible decline of elite autonomy. The core argument being that structure and behavior of political elites is the outcome of social and political development interaction constituting challenges and strategies to cope.

The...