Chapter 8 New Polities, New Standards for Political Elites

Abstract

Given the evidence previously presented, it would be odd if the development of new kinds of polities did not result in demands for new standards of political leadership. The emerging global consensus against public corruption is one indication of changing standards (see Chapter 7). In addition to changing standards, the public has also started to look elsewhere than the political system for leaders. In the United States, for example, recent polls show that citizens are favoring the following kinds of people for national political office: businessmen, state governors, and those with no Washington experience or connections (Andrew Kohut, PEW Poll, PBS; June 2, 2011). This is also true in Europe. Habermas (2010) complains about the fact that citizens in Germany have disdain for professional politicians and are turning to amateurs for leadership. This development coincides with the growth of social movement politics across many regions of the world (Meyer & Tarrow, 1999). As we have seen, many citizens have more confidence in social movements than political parties, parliaments, civil services, and national justice systems. Not only are professional politicians often believed to be “out of touch” with members of society, but they are also seen as less attentive to them and out for themselves and interest groups they favor (Dalton, 2006; Chapter 7).

Citation

Kamens, D.H. (2012), "Chapter 8 New Polities, New Standards for Political Elites", Kamens, D.H. (Ed.) Beyond the Nation-State (Research in the Sociology of Education, Vol. 18), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 241-256. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1479-3539(2012)0000018012