Elite politice româneşti în a doua jumătate a secolului al XIX-lea
The Romanian Political Élites in the Second Half of the 19th Century

Summary/Abstract: The study is dealing with the important problem of the Romanian political élites in their historical evolution, insisting upon the changes which occurred in the second half of the 19th century. Analysing mainly from a genealogic perspective, the structure (the composition) of the Romanian governments, beginning with Alexandru I Cuza’s reign, the author ascertains that in the above mentioned period, the political élites (personalities) came from the backgrounds of the former boyars representing the future bourgeoisie, adapted and integrated into the needs of the modern society, and from elements coming from the ranks of the bourgeoisie which was on the increase and in offensive gradually managing to dominate the political life. The changes occurring in the rank of the political élites were also connected to their cultural level. Significantly, in the second half of the 19th century, almost all the ministers were educated in foreign universities, mostly in France (Paris), but also in Germany. Generally speaking, the political élite was represented by jurists. In the last decades of the century, the representatives of other social categories were scarcely present in the political spectrum. The development of a social category, which called together both the former boyars and the bourgeois united through their material interest, matrimonial bounds and similar political outlooks, represents an interesting phenomenon. In the political life of modern Romania the decisive word belonged to the middle class representatives.

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