ABSTRACT

This conclusion presents some closing thoughts on the concepts discussed in the preceding chapters of this book. When faced with the combined effects of democratic transition and the transformation of democratic governance, a new type of elite has emerged and affirmed itself within the power structure of the state: the sectorally defined programmatic elite. The book shows how, when faced with the combined effects of democratic transition and the transformation of democratic governance, a new type of elite has emerged and affirmed itself within the power structure of the state: the sectorally defined programmatic elite. The method adopted in this study, combining as it does the sociology of elites with the study of public policy allows us to underscore that behind the too-perfect vision of democratic government, a very different development is taking place: elite policy making that reinforces the authority of the autonomous state.