From elite reproduction to elite adaptation: the dynamics of change in personal network of Slovenian elites
From elite reproduction to elite adaptation: the dynamics of change in personal network of Slovenian elites

Summary/Abstract: This article deals with the process of elite adaptation in Slovenia in the period between 1988 and 1995. While negotiated settlement between the old and new elites in Slovenia contributed to high reproduction rates of Slovenian old elites, there was significant change going on within the new and old elites. By looking at their ego networks, we show that the debate on elite reproduction is overlooking an important aspect of change, i.e. the adaptation of elites. We analyze changes in the composition of elites’ networks and find that in spite of high reproduction rates, there was extensive fluctuation in the old elites’ networks. We also find that changes in the composition of networks were the result of strategic choice by the members of the new and old elites. These results indicate that Slovenian elites underwent significant changes that simple measures of elite reproduction fail to uncover and that they were a result of conscious elite adaptation rather than induced elite accommodation to regime change. We argue that because it shifts emphasis from elite reproduction to the actual social processes elite adaptation theory provides superior tools for the analysis of transition in those societies that experienced negotiated settlement of old and new elites.

• Details
• Contents