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Elites in Madagascar: a sociography

Author

Listed:
  • Mireille Razafindrakoto

    (IRD, UMR DIAL, PSL, Université Paris-Dauphine)

  • François Roubaud

    (IRD, UMR DIAL, PSL, Université Paris-Dauphine)

  • Jean-Michel Wachsberger

    (CeRIES, Université de Lille, IRD, UMR DIAL)

Abstract

The role of the elites in Madagascar’s trajectory, especially in the formation and widening of inequalities as a known source of chronic socio-political instability, calls for a closer study of the elite group. This article establishes a sociography of the elites based on statistical surveys, including a unique representative survey focusing on the Red Island’s elites. It provides insights into their strategies to attain and remain in power, but also their opinions on the running of society and especially their views of the obstacles to and the drivers of the country’s long-term development. The majority of elites are from the old aristocracy. Social capital made up of a rich network in terms of its size, diversity and the intensity of the connections established within the elite circle and straddling is used as a strategy to access the highest hierarchical positions. This dominant class displays rather mixed attitudes to democratic principles. The main point of disagreement between elites and the rest of the population concerns the order of priorities on the political agenda. Although maintaining order counts the most for the elites, the rest of the population prioritises improved living conditions for the poor.

Suggested Citation

  • Mireille Razafindrakoto & François Roubaud & Jean-Michel Wachsberger, 2018. "Elites in Madagascar: a sociography," Working Papers DT/2018/06, DIAL (Développement, Institutions et Mondialisation).
    • Handle: RePEc:dia:wpaper:dt201806
    as

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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. François Bourguignon, 2015. "The Globalization of Inequality," Economics Books, Princeton University Press, edition 1, number 10433.
    2. Thomas Piketty & Emmanuel Saez, 2006. "The Evolution of Top Incomes: A Historical and International Perspective," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 96(2), pages 200-205, May.
    3. repec:dau:papers:123456789/4352 is not listed on IDEAS
    4. Razafindrakoto, Mireille & Roubaud, François, 2010. "Are International Databases on Corruption Reliable? A Comparison of Expert Opinion Surveys and Household Surveys in Sub-Saharan Africa," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 38(8), pages 1057-1069, August.
    5. Amsden, the late Alice H. & DiCaprio, Alisa & Robinson, James A. (ed.), 2012. "The Role of Elites in Economic Development," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780199659036, Decembrie.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Elites; Madagascar; Straddling; Network; Power; Statistical Survey; Social capital; Chevauchement; Réseau; Pouvoir; Enquête statistique; capital social.;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D30 - Microeconomics - - Distribution - - - General
    • D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement
    • O11 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Macroeconomic Analyses of Economic Development
    • O55 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Africa
    • P48 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Other Economic Systems - - - Legal Institutions; Property Rights; Natural Resources; Energy; Environment; Regional Studies
    • Z13 - Other Special Topics - - Cultural Economics - - - Economic Sociology; Economic Anthropology; Language; Social and Economic Stratification

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