Elites and Democracy

The Centre for Research into Ideas and the Study of Political Ideologies (CRISPI)’s co-director Dr Hugo Drochon has recently published a new book on the relation between elites and democracy.

Elites and Democracy (Princeton University Press) argues that democracy is more accurately and usefully understood as a perpetual struggle among competing elites—between rising elites and ruling elites. Real political change comes from the interaction between social movements and elite political institutions such as parties. But, although true democracy—the rule of the people—may never be achieved, striving towards it can bring about worthwhile democratic results.

Hugo is an expert in democratic theory. Speaking about his new publication, Hugo said “if we are always ruled by elites, then what can democracy mean in that setting? It cannot mean ‘sovereignty of the people’ or ‘majority rule’. Instead, in the book I develop a ‘dynamic’ theory of democracy that locates democracy in the perpetual challenge to elite rule”.