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.
Author(s): Manina Kakepaki, Fani Kountouri
Series: Reform and Transition in the Mediterranean
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan
Year: 2022
Language: English
Pages: 295
City: Cham
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
