1. Luca Verzichelli Master GIRP, EM-TAM Academic year 2017-2018
European Democratic Governance and the Elites Crisis of Representative Democracy?
Luca Verzichelli
Master GIRP, EM-TAM
Academic year

2. The Withdrawal of elites
The problems of credibility of political elites and their accountability, in a context of transformation of representative democracy
Mair: responsiveness vs. responsibility
Populism, anti-political sentiment, easy-listening politics

3. Studying the rulers Definitions and Questions
Traditional definitions: leaders, inner circles, cabinets, core executives..
► fitting the category of ruling class (classe di governo)
► simple sample
►possible mix of quantitative analysis and biographical study
Selection of broader ruling elites
► extension to multivariate and time series analyses
► comparability among functions and offices but …
► … weak control over attitudes and characters

4. Cabinet Ministers and Chief Executives
Studies by Jean Blondel (1982, 1985, 1987)
Blondel + Thiebault 1991
Classic Anthony King and Richard Rose works on executive leaders
More recent studies on delegation and reshuffles
Other studies on personality (and impact of personality on political outcomes)

5. Example of changing patterns of ministerial career The decline of Junior ministerial background in Italy

6. Individual or collective delegation?
Do we have to consider the individual ambition to get an office, to remain, to act as member of government …
As the ambition of an “absolute individual” office seeker politician? The traditional Rational choice perspective
As the ambition of a “party representative” ? The partisan theory
As the ambition of a “policy seeker” reformist? Policy viable processes of government formation
What else? Combinations of different factors?

7. The study of principal-agent relationships within the cabinet
Appointment. Selection procedures and incentives
Maintenance of relationship. Full information (risk of ministerial drift) and delegation
Dis-appointment. De-selection and reasons of reshuffles
A comparative review: Dowding and Dumont (2009 on Europe, 2014 on other democracies)
A study of effects of personal errors/scandals: Berlinsky and others (2012)

8. Open questions Still neglected aspects of the secret life of rulers
The future of executive accountability. Ministerial drift and individualism
The role of parties and their decay: soft parties? Liquid parties?
The presidentialization hypothesis