Articles review
The article Putin's elite and legacies of Soviet quasi-modernization in contemporary Russia highlight Putin and his clique’s attempt to extend oligarchy in Russia. The Partocracy is the general rule rather than the exception. The scenario depicts a situation whereby the president and the ruling elites control the party and the entire government systems so that the party loyalty and sycophancy are emphasized at the expense of merit. The Putin's Siloviki as the elite cartel is popularly referred is characterized by coercive structures where a combination of force and persuasions are the cornerstones of the administration. As such, the issue has created a quasi-modernization situation whereby the economy is state-controlled while collectivism is applied to perpetuate the communist ideology. The system enforces a skewed system especially on issues concerning the distribution of resources.
The elite control the state machinery with the sole objective to have the firmer grip on the power. Putin employs the system to undermine political competition, which makes him empower the small group politically and financially to enhance their controlDue to the high levels of state patronage, corruption endemic as the lack of meritocracy has led to increased levels of unskilled labor. The complacency is a characteristic of the general populace as competition among the individuals does not count much (Bremmer and Charap, 2007, p. 85). The economy is heavily dependent on the state operatives with the private sector majorly nonexistent which further emphasize the government grip on the control of resources. The level of reliance on collectivity has reduced the entrepreneurship spirit which is the primary driver of the financial sector. Consequently, there are lower levels of access to finance compelling the citizens to rely on the state's employment offers, further reducing the chances to accelerate the growth of the economy leading to reduced expansion of the GDP. The reduced levels of the economic activities by the private sector have rendered the privatization programs of the 1990s irrelevant. Despite the publicity around the streamlining and privatization programs, not much yield can be accrued to the efforts .the economic growth is, therefore, minimal, only recorded at 3% in the recent past despite the tremendous potential occasioned by the existence of the vast natural resources in the country(Bremmer and Charap, 2007, p. 89). The Kremlin action has led to unfulfilled to free trade as the promise of the market economy remains a mirage. The government efforts have slowed down the liberal market reforms which characterize the advanced modernized economies. Although Putin's Siloviki aims to restore Russia to the superpower status, wrong strategies are being employed by the government elites as the objective could still be achieved without the imperialistic tendencies.
The country relies heavily on the export of the natural resources mainly the crude, natural gas and steel which has been slowed down by the many sanctions imposed by the western nations due to the diminished democratic space. The restoration of the constitutional order in the country would probably increase the balance of trade for Russia, but the state of affairs in the country depicts an administration not keen to loosen its grip anytime soon. The inertia expressed by the government against the restoration of the constitutional order is mostly adverse to the exploitation of the country's potential (Bremmer and Charap, 2007, p. 90). On the other hand, the substantial state control of the entire social economic and political systems have protected the Russian companies from external competition leading to monopolistic tendencies which are against the spirit of the contemporary economies.
The irony of the Russian elite is that the pluralist-democratic rhetoric is a common claim, never mind that the whole world is aware of the autocratic practices of the Kremlin government. The party leadership system practiced by Putin and the cronies from influential which cement the feelings that the administration consists of the selected few which is detrimental in the efforts towards national unity. Despite the claims by the ruling elite that they are keen on efforts towards advanced modern society any rational being would find claim insincere .the administration is determined in the consolidation of power through purge and silencing of all the dissenting views (Bremmer and Charap, 2007, p. 88). As a resulting, the removal of the free media coupled with the crackdown on the opposition leaders has contributed to the reduced democratic scores. The recent developments in the country are a blow to the realization of a free modern state as espoused in the constitutions of most global democracies. It is sarcasm of the highest order that all the efforts by the Putin's Siloviki are aimed at the restoration of national strength as that is only possible in an environment where the citizens have the liberty to express their political stances.
Although the country has one of the highest PPP at $18800, there are other parameters of real advancements in the economies. The country could also be having a surplus budget in place of the balanced one achieved within the last couple of years. The Russian elite have only succeeded in silencing the dissents, but it will have long-term implications in the countries social structures. The fear of balkanization does not necessarily lead to the entrenchment of the sound political system nor does it enhance patriotism. Rather it fuels anger and deepens social stratification which has adverse implications in the unity of the country.
Elite Theory
The elite theory, which emerged at the beginning of the 20th-century rejection a utopia characterized by social equality and the equal rights of the individuals within stateless societies where the freedom of movement would ensure the mobility of labor and capital. Rather the theory gave recommendations on what constitutes a healthy community. According to Davis (2003, p. 675), a healthy society should provide for the individual dignity the welfare of the masses and political stability. The theory shunned the notion of economic dynamism and utopian ideals. Instead, the approach provided rational predictions based on comparative analysis and historical experiences (Higley, 2008, p. 23). The proponents further alluded to the fact that development is a factor of elites' decisions.
The elite theory distinguishes the elites and non-elites and the respective roles that each of the groups plays in the social-economic and political arena. In every society or community around the world, power is distributed unequally and consolidated among the elites. The concentration of authority is certainly in the hands of the few elites consisting of political leaders, business people, and prominent families. In Russia for example, the power is centered on Putin and his cronies such Medvedev and the Yeltsin family members. The major corporations around the globe are also centers of power as the influence the economic patterns in the country. As much as the claim has an element of truth, it is important to point out that they are self-created success stories of individuals hence propelling them to absolute positions in the corporate world. At the same time, there are crises that profoundly limit the demonstration of elite power no matter the background of the individuals or their positions in the society. The implication is some forces come into play and hence tilt the status quo at a given time (Higley, 2008, p.28). The failure of some state corporations and financial institutions consolidated I the hands of the elites occasionally collapse and therefore diminish the control of the resources which reduce their dominance in the state affairs.
The dominance of the elites in the state affairs is not necessarily a negative thing as demonstrated by the emergence of the BRIC economies. The BRIC economies are state regulated and dependent to the extent that major corporations and financial firms in the economies are state managed, yet they have been able to shake off the failure tags associated with such administrations to record positive growths. The concentration of power in the hands of the elites could propel nations to greater heights of economic prosperity if the elites have the welfare of the state at heart. Russia and China and the entire BRIC economies are such examples where the middle-class populations are almost non-existent hence reduce the bureaucracies that limit the trickling of resources to the grassroots (Higley, 2008, p. 24). However, such a scenario could be detrimental to the non-elites as could entrench oppression, reduced human rights and the nonexistence of the social equality.
Whereas the social-political distinction between the elites and non-elites is the main characteristic of most complex societies, the existence of the middle class cannot be ignored as they play a crucial role in the sense that they are the taxpayers and hence contribute substantially to the existence of the both the elites and the non-elites. The group acts a link between the elites and the non-elites in the course of their duties. They are full in charge of the conflict resolution between the elites and the non-elites. The elites are highly dependent on the group in the settlement of the economic crisis such as the financial meltdown and recession around the globe in the recent past. Elite make mistakes that cause major conflicts leading to external mechanisms such as the cases in Afghanistan and Libya (Davis, 2003, p. 674). Such scenario alludes to the fact that the efforts by the elites have not worked in the administrations of social, economic and political institutions in the countries.
The external interventions reduce the concentration of power in the hands of the elites, and some situations lead to self-imposed exiles as a way to escape the unfolding realities. The reconstitution efforts of the elites after political turmoil such as what happened in Tunisia and Egypt could produce utterly different social and political structures determined by the realignment. The elite configuration is the determinants of success or failures of the economic and political systems. There are several examples of countries around the globe whose success has been determined by the configurations of the elites. The political liberalization in Netherlands and the Scandinavian states of Sweden and Switzerland owe much of the economic and political success to the configuration of the elites. The implication of the elite arrangements is that there are success and failures in equal measure. It is apparent that the elites come from privileged social, economic backgrounds.
The unity among the elites to protect the members and manage conflicts with the non-elites continues to strengthen the claim. In any given global society there is always emergence of the non-elites who reject the status quo and rightfully claiming their place among the elites. The endeavor of the elite to hide social distinction and cultural capital ad depict them as political capital is a deliberate attempt by the group to dominate all the aspects of lives which include but not limited to business, media and state administrations. The consequence is that politics is celebrated regardless of the performance of the political leaders. The elite require a reasonable level of independence to be effective. Any interference by the non-elites leads to the diminished ability of the elites to demonstrate power and influence which is tantamount to undermining of their positions. The elites would fail miserably in the implementation of policies if there are constant pressures from the masses. The elites are transformed through gradual or sudden circulation due to changes in the social stratification and the increased economic power of the individuals. However, the governing styles of the different elites could determine their free stay in the group.
Political (Power) Elites
The political elite are composed of the persons who have the ability to affect political m issues in the national due to the strategic positions they hold in the system. Usually, they hold the position of power and hence can influence decisions that are salient to their interests and their representatives. The political elite are primary decision makers in some of the most significant organizations in the states (Etzioni-Halevy, 2003, p. 22). They include some of the top business executives, the top government officials, professionals and representatives and heads of the movers and shakers of the central national systems. Due to the unique and elevated positions that political elites hold, the enjoy celebrity status with high rewards. Whereas the elites enjoy high social status and are recognizable, they are differentiated and stratified according to social political and economic positions which essentially are power positions. Such areas exist in the military, administration and the political arrangements of the concerned states. It is important to point out that the sectors diminish in power leading the shift of influence and relations among the elites.
The role of contingent crisis in the shifting of relations between the elite cannot be understated. The stratification nature of the elites makes them yield different levels of power based on the leadership positions of the individual. The size of the elite is quite small which enhances the high-level cohesion enabling them to strengthen the dominance of the society. The small numbers of the elites make it possible to share the ideas, policies and sentiments aimed carrying out the agreed actions. Usually, they consist of one or two hundred officials who hold party and government positions. In several states around the world, the elite consist of less than 5% of the population or probably less. They are the ruling minorities with strategic government, parliamentary and other powerful positions in the professions including the media. The continuous dominance of the elite does not involve any deliberate or organized schemes through meetings and conferences (Etzioni-Halevy, 2003, p. 23). Rather the system has created structures that ensure the survival of the elite through a course that is mostly predetermined.
The elite therefore, follow a path that is largely a function of the current advantages leading to the vicious cycle of the system (Davis, 2003, p. 670). However, the path followed by the elites is hard to define as it is a compound of unorganized actions of the elite clique and their representatives and hence it is impossible to prove the existence of the system. The elite prescribe to structures that recognize and express the significant positions they hold. It is apparent that create hierarchical structures aimed at protecting each other. The political elites endeavor to protect each other by ensuring that the competition for political positions does not turn violent which would interfere with their highly rewarding economic bases.
Conclusion
The Putin's Siloviki is an elite clique centered on President Putin and his cronies, consisting mainly of prominent families, business people, and government officials. The elite theory endeavors to highlight the existence of groups within states that manipulate the systems to suit their political and social-economic agenda. The elite recognizes and appreciates the unique positions held by one of their and hence make deliberate efforts to protect their interests. The concept of elite has contributed to the social stratification due to the apparent privileges enjoyed by particular groups across the demographic divide. However, it is essential to note that the group has also led to poor economic and political system that discourage competition and different opinions. As a result, political competition in the country is always undermined and different opinions or strategies of development are not given priority.
Reference List
Bremmer, I. and Charap, S., 2007. The siloviki in Putin's Russia: who they are and what they want. The Washington Quarterly, 30(1), pp.83-92.
Davis, A., 2003. Whither mass media and power? Evidence for a critical elite theory alternative. Media, Culture & Society, 25(5), pp.669-690.
Etzioni-Halevy, E., 2003, May. Network governance as a challenge to democratic elite theory. In Conference on Democratic Network Governance (pp. 22-23).
Higley, J., 2008. Elite theory in political sociology. University of Texas at Austin.
