Ganesh sitaraman looks at what two recent books classical greek oligarchy by matthew simonton and oligarchy by jeffrey winters can teach us about defending democracy from oligarchs. His 2011 book oligarchy was the 2012 winner of the american political science associations luebbert award for the best book in comparative. Oligarchy and democracy linnbenton community college. For a more extensive explanation of his theory of oligarchy, read oligarchy cambridge university. Winters skip to main content accessibility help we use cookies to distinguish you from other users and to provide you with a better experience on our websites. Winters, oligarki dan demokrasi di indonesia, prisma, vol. Winters specializes in oligarchy and elites in a range of historical and contemporary cases, including athens, rome, medieval europe, the united states and several major countries in southeast asia. Wealth defense and the limits of liberal democracy by. Extreme wealth stratification is the single most enduring social pattern across all polities from mesopotamia to the present rarely interrupted, and then only for brief periods. The politics of oligarchy in an age of market, london and new york.
The journal enables members of different subfields to speak with one anotherand with knowledgeable people outside the disciplineabout issues of common interest while maintaining the highest academic standards. Rhoden introduction this article1 argues that winters concept of oligarchy can be extended to politics at the national level in thailand. Jeffrey winters ranges across the world and through history in this fascinating and illuminating work on an ancient, and yet surprisingly contemporary phenomenon. Oligarchy and democracy can, and do, coexist comfortably 731. Even in democratic societies with free participation and universal suffrage, small.
Winters is professor of political science at northwestern university and author of oligarchy, published by cambridge university press in 2011. Pdf oligarchy and democracy in indonesia researchgate. On the one hand, evidence of democratic possibilities is undeniable. Jeffrey winters, in his thoughtprovoking study of oligarchy through the ages and around the globe, would probably concur, though he might insist on the following refinement.
Richard robison and vedi r hadiz, reorganizing power in indonesia. The superrich screw the poor, the middleclasses, the notsofilthyrich, and each other, especially. Winters prerogatives of the entities they oversee and, by virtue of office, deploy its resources and personnel which can include police, soldiers, and security staff. What the article is about winters and page hereafter, wp argue that all modern democracies, regardless of level of democracy, can be oligarchies. Jeffrey winters, author of the 2011 book, oligarchy, wealth in the u. Winters wrote that oligarchy and democracy operate within a single system, and american politics is a daily display of their interplay. The common thread for oligarchs across history is that wealth defines them, empowers them, and inherently exposes them to threats. For centuries, oligarchs were viewed as empowered by wealth, an idea muddled by elite theory early in the twentieth century. And, if one looks at the tax reforms under bush in the u. Winters is an associate professor of political science at northwestern university. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Winters study partakes of two recent trends in political science. Giglioli winters study partakes of two recent trends in political science scholarship. A model of comparative politics and history, this book is particularly impressive in its deft analysis of how democracy is often quite congenial for oligarchs.
Oligarchs and oligarchy in southeast asia northwestern. His research, publications and teaching focus on the areas of comparative and international political economy. View enhanced pdf access article on wiley online library html view download pdf for offline viewing. Winters is an american political scientist at northwestern university, specializing in the study of oligarchy. Perspectives on politics provides political insight on important problems through rigorous, broadbased research and integrative thought. Winters cambridge, cambridge university press, 2011. The contributors assess how critical concepts in the study of politicsoligarchy, inequality, power, democracy, and otherscan. Jeffrey alan, 1960publication date 2011 topics political science general, oligarchy, oligarchie, oligarki publisher. Winters, oligarchy, cambridge, cambridge university press, 2011, 237 p. More than he lets on, however, winters also raises grave doubts over the full extent and genuine sub stance of the liberty promised average citizens by the adages second part. Winters specializes in oligarchy and elites in a range of historical and contemporary cases, including athens, rome, medieval europe, the united states, and several countries in southeast asia. Reorganising power in indonesia is a new and distinctive analysis of the dramatic fall of soeharto, the last of the great cold war capitalist dictators, and of the struggles that reshape power and wealth in. This provocative work distinguishes within the overall group of elites a small group of oligarchs who have far more money and property than others.
For him, the political power of billionaires in democracies represents a transformation towards civil oligarchy. His research, publications, and teaching focus on the areas of. Winters for centuries, oligarchs were viewed as empowered by wealth, an idea muddled by elite theory early in the twentieth century. Winters, oligarchy, cambridge, cambridge university press, 2011 political scientist jeffrey winters argues that oligarchy is timeless, but varying in its forms. W inte rs prerogati ves of the e ntities t hey ove rsee a nd, by virtue o f office. N2 this chapter examines a set of cases in southeast asia from the perspective of oligarchs and oligarchy. It is a confounding moment in american political history. But his exclusive focus on wealth defense may oversimplify and underestimate the real. This material power sets them apart and may place them in conflict with the rest of the community as well as with each other. Robison, and jeffrey winters, who argue that a small group of wealthy individuals rooted in the new order regime continue to define politics in contemporary indonesia, have made an important contribution to this debate. Oligarchy is a form of concentrated minority power. Jeffrey winters, oligarchy find, read and cite all the research you.
Beyond oligarchy is a collection of essays by leading scholars of contemporary indonesian politics and society, each addressing effects of material inequality on political power and contestation in democratic indonesia. Winters is associate professor of political science. Page we explor e the possibility that the us political system can usefully be characterized as oligarchic. Oligarchy, jeffrey winters demonstrates why the first com ponent of this adage is universally valid and grossly under estimated. Jeffrey alan winters is an american political scientist at northwestern university, specialising in the study of oligarchy. We live in good times for billionaires, the evergrowing forbes list of the worlds richest people seems to indicate.
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