Parliamentary Elites in Transition: Political Representation in Greece

Description

This edited volume contributes to a better understanding of parliamentary changes in times of political transition, and, specifically, the composition of the Greek Parliament before and after the debt crisis. It discusses the profiles of Greek MPs through the lens of continuity and renewal, starting with the first major political crisis after the Metapolitefsi in 1989 and ending with the last legislative elections of 2019. Greece attracted scholarly and international interest due to the transformations that the sovereign debt crisis provoked to its political and partisan system. It is one of the countries of the European periphery most severely hit during the great recession. However, no work so far has been devoted exclusively to the study of Greek parliamentary elites, their cultural and political characteristics, and the factors that shape their selection and election. The book is a multifaceted source of information for all those interested in understanding forms of political representation during normal times and times of crisis. Its distinctive advantage is that it offers an up to date and complete elite study in Greece comparable to similar European studies. Moreover, it is a useful tool for students, scholars and researchers interested in the study of political representation across Europe. Acknowledgements Praise for Parliamentary Elites in Transition Contents Notes on Contributors List of Figures List of Tables 1 Introduction: Greek Parliamentary Elites in Transition (1989–2019) Why the Study of Parliamentary Elites Matters: From the Study of Parliaments to the Study of Political and Social Transformations The Study of Parliamentary Elites in Greece: Mapping the Terrain The Periodization of Metapolitefsi. Between Stability and Fluidity 1989–1993: The Period of the Political Crisis 1996–2009: The Period of Stabilization 2012–2015: The Period of the Economic Crisis The 2019 Period of New Stabilization. Or, What Comes Next? Methodological Considerations on Data Collection Structure of the Book References 2 Gender, Representation, and the Politcs of Exclusion: Or, Who Represents, Who Is Represented, What Is at Stake? Introduction The Issue The Situation: Women in Political Representation The “Solution” or, What Is at Stake? Concluding Remarks References 3 Mind the Gaps: The Class Dynamics of the Greek Parliamentary Elite Introduction Theoretical Background Research Questions, Data and Methods Results Conclusions Bibliography 4 Revolving Doors Between Journalism and Politics: A Comparative Approach to Traditional and New Professions in the Greek Parliament Introduction: The Political Parallelism Process How Mediatization Impact the Political Recruitment Process Questions and Methods Journalists in the Greek Parliament: 1989–2019 The Dynamic Rise of a Professional Category Journalistic Capital: A Personal Resource of Reputation and Social Recognition Journalists Typology Conclusion References 5 Young Conservatives, Media Personalities or Old-School Elites? The Many Faces of New Democracy MPs Across Time Introduction Conservative Parties and Drivers for Change Brief Parliamentary History of New Democracy Data and Research Questions ND’s Parliamentary Generations, 1989–2019 Social and Political Profile Conclusions Bibliography 6 From Hegemony to Pasokification: Socialist MPs in Transition Introduction Theoretical Background PASOK’s Organisational Transformation From Party Change to MPs Transformations Hypothesis, Data and Methods Discussion and Findings PASOK’s Parliamentary Elites: Main Characteristics and Evolutions Towards a Typology for PASOK’s MPs Conclusion References 7 From an Outsider to a Mainstream Party. The Parliamentary Elite of SYRIZA as an Indicator of Party Transformation Introduction Theoretical Context and Empirical Background Methodology and Data The Characteristics of the Parliamentary Elite of SYRIZA Political Turbulence and Elite Turnover Demographics: A Gradually Closing Window of Opportunity for “Unconventional” or “Weak” Candidacies Educational and Professional Background: The Growing Importance of “Experts” and “Professional Politicians” Political Affiliation: The Declining Role of the Traditional Partisans Changing Patterns of Distinction: From the Government to the Party Instead of the Other Way Round Conclusions References 8 What Are the Far Right MPs Like? Radical and Extreme Right Parties in the Greek Parliament Introduction. Historical Context and Ideological Characteristics of the Greek Far Right in the Metapolitefsi Who Belongs to the Far Right? Greek Far Right Parties in the Late Metapolitefsi MPs of the Far Right 2007–2019 Selection of Data The MPs of the Extreme Right: LAOS, ANEL and Greek Solution; Common Patterns of Representation The MPs of Golden Dawn Conclusion References 9 The Rise of Technocrats in Greek Ministerial Elites: Evidence from 1989 to 2021 Introduction Technocrats in Cabinets Defining Technocrats Research on Technocratic Cabinets Technocrats in Greek Cabinets Questions and Methods Technocrats in Greek Governments, 1989–2021 Variation Overtime The Main Socioprofessional Features and Sources of Expertise of Technocratic Ministers Toward a Typology of Greek Technocratic Ministers Conclusion References 10 Change in Continuity? A Comparison of Parliamentary Representation in Cyprus and Greece in the Background of the Economic Crisis Introduction Elite Operationalization and Methodology The Context of Politics in the Two Countries Political Representation Before the Crisis Cyprus Greece Changing Parliamentary Elites? Changes and Continuities Concluding Remarks References 11 Conclusions: Who Gets Elected and When. Change and Continuity in Parliament and a Proposed Typology The Four Periods of Political Representation Types of Political Career Conclusions What Is at Stake? References Index