Suomi murroksessa 1991-2011 : muuttuiko eliittirakenne?

Kirjoittajat

• Ilkka Ruostetsaari

Abstrakti

Theoretically present study was anchored in democratic elitism focusing on interrelationships both within various elites and between elites and the population. The purpose of present study was to analyse, in what extent recruitment to the Finnish elites and coherence within the elites have changed as a result of important social changes in 1991-2011. Methodologically the study was based on the positional approach and postal/Internet surveys were conducted among the elites in 1991, 2001 and 2011. The conclusions were based on theoretical models characterising various elite structures and their interconnections with democracy. The hypotheses were derived from important societal changes which have likely affected not only the population but also the elites since the early 1990s. The first hypothesis of that the openness of the elite structure has reduced as a result of important societal changes since the 1990s was not verified. By contrast, the second hypothesis of decreased coherence within the Finnish elites was verified.