Advancing Research on Elites and Political Leadership in Times of Crisis

This Section aims to bring together various theoretical and methodological approaches to studying elites and political leadership, and to highlight these studies' contributions to explaining and better understanding current and historical societal challenges. The rise of authoritarianism around the world, the war in Ukraine, failed democratization in former Arab Spring countries, the disintegration of party systems, and the growing personalization of politics are just a few developments scholars of elites and political leadership can, and will, analyse. This analysis includes large-N and single-case studies, advanced and new democracies, and different world areas. Drawing on the repeated success of the Standing Group on Elites and Political Leadership's sections (an average of eight panels since 2015), we propose the following nine exciting Panels, some co-sponsored by other ECPR Standing Groups or Research Networks. Specifically, we continue to acknowledge the relevance of elite theories and their impact on explaining current societal developments. Panel 1 deals with the contribution of elite theories to explaining the origins, directions, and trajectories of the ongoing changes, and welcome theoretical contributions and Papers dealing with a wide range of international players, including the US, China, and Russia, as well as EU member countries, Ukraine and other post-communist countries. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the interest in the psychological aspects of war and the psychology of political leaders has gained momentum. Acknowledging this interest, Panel 2 examines the political psychology of war and political leadership. This Panel co-endorsed by the Standing Group on Political Psychology, invites theoretical and empirical Papers on various aspects of this topic. International elites rarely receive scholarly attention, causing a significant gap in the existing literature. However, international conflicts, including the current war in Ukraine, make apparent the benefits and the limits of international political control. To fill this gap, Panel 3 examines the role of the United Nations and political elites in Europe. The Panel invites scholars and practitioners to submit Papers that will result in a fruitful discussion of international elite studies. Taking stock of cutting-edge elites and leadership research, we want to analyse how politicians connect to citizens, perceive their profession, and how political careers have transformed in a polycrisis environment. Section Chairs have therefore organised Panels that examine, from a comparative perspective, how various types of elites (e.g., party politicians and ministers) are selected. Panel 4 deals with the selection and impact of charismatic leaders in a polarized world. It invites theoretical and empirical Papers on charismatic leaders, political identity, and polarization in Europe and worldwide. Panel 5 explores the questions raised by political elites' use of public opinion research and the crisis of representation. The Panel invites theoretical and empirical Papers linked to three lines of inquiry: the production of public opinion research, representational practices, and selective responsiveness. International conflicts and climate change are among the factors fuelling the migration movement. However, migration is not just about a change of place but also about chances in education, the economy, and politics. We aim to analyse this final aspect in Panel 6, on immigrant-origin politicians, their recruitment, and careers. The Panel Chair invites theoretical and empirical Papers from early-career and established researchers. The last three Panels deal with different aspects of the political careers of various politicians worldwide. Panel 7 examines how ambitions influence politicians' decisions to move up, remain in their position for an extended period, or exit politics. Panel 8 deals with how institutional frameworks shape politicians' decisions to move across territorial levels of the polity (i.e., across the local, regional, national, or supranational levels). This Panel invites case studies and comparative papers on various multi-level countries worldwide. Comparative studies have shown that the circulation of elites is a crucial indicator of political representation, policy innovation, and political accountability. Panel 9, on circulation, studies the determinants and scope of elite circulation from country-specific and comparative perspectives. Panel 1: Elite Theories’ Contributions to Explaining Current Changes in Elite Configurations Chairs: Ursula Hoffmann-Lange (University of Bamberg), Heinrich Best (University of Jena) Discussant: Maurizio Cotta (University of Siena) Panel 2: Political psychology of leaders and leadership (co-endorsed with the Standing Group on Political Psychology) Chair: Elena Semenova (Free University of Berlin) Panel 3: The United Nations and political elites in Europe Chairs: Maya Plentz (UN Brief) Panel 4: Charismatic leaders, social identity and polarization Chair: Rudolf Metz Discussants: András Körösényi and Gábor Illés Panel 5: Elites and Public Opinion: Analysing the Interaction of Public Opinion, Policy-Making and Party Strategy Chair: Tinette Schnatterer (SciencePo Bordeaux), Chris Butler (University of Manchester) Panel 6: Immigrant-Origin Politicians in Europe: Factors for Success and Failure Chair: Andreas Wüst (Munich University of Applied Science) Panel 7: Ambition, new politics and political careers Chair: Juan Rodríguez Teruel (University of Valencia) Discussant: Mélany Barragán (University of Valencia) Panel 8: Political Careers across Institutions and Levels of Government Chair: Jens Borchert (University of Frankfurt) Panel 9: Circulation and withdrawal of political elites in times of crisis Chair: Luca Verzichelli (University of Siena)