Elite The disappeared Russian elite was even more unlucky in posthumous assessments than Russian statehood. Despite a certain “fashion” for pre-revolutionary Russia in the “perestroika” time, it was precisely what made its splendor and glory

And what role do they play in society? Let's find out what features the division takes place different types the said elite. Let's find out their signs and functions. And let’s define what exactly the concept is: “types of political elites”, “formation of elites”.

Types

Types of political elite are divided according to a number of characteristics. So, depending on the selection method, it can be defined as open or closed. And when focusing on the place it occupies, it can be divided into ruling and opposition.

The political elite can be united or divided, depending on the nature of internal relations within it, and low or high, in terms of the degree of representation.

By selection method

The political elite can be open or closed. The first is characterized by the fact that if you want to join its ranks, the applicant faces a limited number of formalities that are aimed at selecting a person with the necessary personal qualities.

The mechanism of its work is elections, which imply competition. The peculiarity of this type of elite is that it is provided with a high degree of circulation. In other words, representatives of different strata can get into it. Thanks to this, people with new ideas often come to the open elite. As a result, there is low continuity in policy development.

The political elite, formed according to the type of guilds (closed), is characterized by the fact that a candidate can only get into it by meeting a significant number of formal requirements. In this case, personal loyalty to management and willingness to carry out orders received without question are of great importance. Assignment is used as a selection mechanism.

On the plus side, we can say that such elites provide a high degree of continuity in policy development, a low number of internal conflicts, and also maintain the balance of decisions made. But at the same time, enterprising people come here in small numbers (besides, they are not given the opportunity to develop their activities well). This leads to the fact that the closed elite ossifies, degrades and degenerates. The degree of circulation in in this case low.

Patterns

It should be said that the functions and types of political elites are interrelated. As an example, the following can be given.

There are pairs: closed and united; open and disconnected. But this does not mean at all that one characteristic is always accompanying another, although very clear patterns can be traced in their grouping.

It is also impossible to say for sure that any elite is completely open or closed, since there are no clear boundaries in this definition.

The nature of internal relations

In this case, there may be the following types of political elite: united and divided. In the first case, it is quite cohesive and boasts a high degree of integration. Within such an elite, intergroup competition is kept at a low level, and conflicts do not develop into an irreconcilable stage. Moreover, when united on the basis of a certain ideology, intolerance arises towards everyone who adheres to dissent.

The elites that unite on the basis of consensus act most optimally. In this case, they develop an agreement regarding the basic values, goals and methods of the policies that will be pursued.

A feature of the divided elite is the low degree of integration. This is accompanied by the presence of intense struggle between different factions that want to control strategic positions, areas of control and direct the distribution of resources. Due to the high degree of competition, condemned methods of struggle are widely practiced (including gross compromise of rivals).

Place in the political system

It was noted earlier that in the case of determining a place in the political system, a distinction is made between the ruling elite and the counter-elite. The first group includes those who indirectly or directly participate in the management of society. Counter-elites are people who have qualities that are characteristic of elites, but due to various obstacles or their social status are not able to exercise control.

The counter-elite can be understood, for example, as the political opposition, since it wants to weaken the power of the elite and take over some or all of its powers. In a broader sense, this can be understood as social group, which is endowed with elite qualities.

The peculiarity in this case is that it does not want to be part of the ruling elite, but has the goal of depriving it of power in order to subsequently build new system. This is accomplished through social revolutions.

Degree of representativeness

This parameter is important for the people. After all, if elites have a high degree of representativeness, then they will be able to express the interests of a large number of segments of society. In this way it will develop more or less balanced. If the degree of representation is low, then, accordingly, the interests of a small number of segments will be represented.

This typology is used to understand the transformation processes that the political elite undergoes. The signs that led to the present state of affairs can be found in the past. Let's look at the situation using the example of modern Russia.

In pre-revolutionary times, the elite and counter-elite were formed in conditions where there were no democratic freedoms in society. Officially, it consisted of officials and was formed according to the class principle. Thus, the interests of the top were best represented in it (and this was open and legal). Beginning in 1917, the place of the elite began to be taken by the “proletarian” bureaucracy. It was formed according to the classless nomenklatura principle. It was legislated that the bureaucracy represents the interests of the entire people.

Other types

The types of political elite discussed earlier are generally accepted for classification. But there are other approaches that offer their own classification methods. Let's figure it out alternative versions what types of political elite can be:

1. Traditional and modern.
2. Higher, secondary and administrative.

Traditional and modern elites

The division in this case is carried out on the basis of the means of approval used by the elite. Thus, it is typical for traditional elites to rely on certain phenomena:

• customs;
• land ownership;
• military valor;
• nobility of origin;
• religious merits, etc.

Examples include tribal nobility, landed aristocracy, religious hierarchies, etc.

Modern elites derive their power from the values ​​that are common in our time:

• financial capital;
• professional achievements;
• education, etc.

Modern elites include entrepreneurs, political leaders, and representatives of scientific and technical crafts. But this does not apply to everyone, but only to those who can influence decisions made and occupy a certain position of power.

Higher, middle and administrative elites

The division in this case is carried out on the basis of the received power, but there are no clear criteria for this. The highest elite is considered to be people who can influence the most significant decisions across society. Examples include heads of state, chairmen of parliaments, prime ministers - everyone who holds high positions in any of the three branches of government. Quantitatively this group usually ranges from 100 to 200 people.

The middle elite includes a large number of officials who receive their positions during elections. This includes members of the State Duma (if we consider the realities Russian Federation), governors, leaders of various political parties and social movements, city leaders and so on. There is strong differentiation in this environment, so the unifying factor here is that its representatives are elected through elections.

The administrative elite is understood as the highest layer of bureaucracy, which occupies high positions in committees, ministries and other bodies government controlled. What makes them special is that they are prescribed.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are different types of elites. The coordinate system of their classification will change depending on what we choose as a starting point. If you want to join the elite, then you need to remember that this is not a matter of one day. To do this, a person must have authority, knowledge and connections.

No less important is the awareness that great rights come with commensurate responsibilities. You have to pay for the decisions you make. Therefore, you need to be careful in your desires and avoid taking actions whose consequences cannot be correctly assessed.

Let us answer the question of who can be considered the main subjects of politics. Let us highlight the types of political elites. Let's find out how political parties and political movements differ and what their functions are. Let's think about what role means play in the political system mass media.

Lesson summary "Political elite. Political parties. Media in the political system"

Social studies Unified State Exam, lesson 20

Lesson 20. Political elite. Political parties. Media in the political system

Political elite

Political elite (from the French elite - best, selected) is a group of people who, to a greater or lesser extent, possessing the ability to manage society, concentrate political power in their hands and occupy leadership positions, managing society.

Reasons for the existence of the political elite:

the need for professional management of society;

inequality of people's abilities and opportunities;

the prestige of managerial work, the opportunity to receive various privileges;

political passivity of the majority of the population.

Characteristic features of the political elite:

a small social group with high social status;

a significant amount of state and information power, direct participation in the exercise of power;

organizational skills and talent.

Functions of the political elite

Determining a political program of action, generating new ideas that reflect the interests of society; development of a concept for the country's development at each stage.

Implementation of the developed political course in practice.

Strengthening the stability and unity of society, preventing and resolving conflict situations.

Representation, expression and protection of interests, needs, ideals, values ​​that unite various social groups.

Classification of political elites:

in relation to power – ruling and non-ruling (counter-elite);

by level of competence – national, regional, local;

by expressed interests - professional, ethnic, religious and other elites;

according to performance results (efficiency) - elite, pseudo-elite, anti-elite;

• pseudo-elite - an “elite” that does not fulfill its functions, its activities lead to the weakening of society and the state;

  anti-elite - aims to overthrow the existing elites, but is not able to act as a worthy replacement for them;

by selection (recruitment) method – closed and open.

Criteria for the effectiveness of the political elite:

the achieved level of progress and well-being of its people;

political stability of society and national security;

optimal balance between civil society and the state.

Political parties and movements

Political Party (from Latin pars (partis) - part, group) is an organized group of like-minded people, expressing the interests of certain social strata and striving to achieve certain political goals (the conquest of state power or participation in its implementation).

Features political party:

focus on gaining and exercising power;

the bearer of a certain ideology or a special vision of the world and man;

the presence of a political program, i.e. a document in which the goals and objectives of the party are formulated;

existence of an organization (governing bodies, membership, party charter);

the presence of an extensive network of local organizations, the core of which is formed by volunteer activists.

Classifications of political parties:

by ideological orientation - conservative, liberal, social democratic, communist, clerical, nationalist;

• conservative: preservation of the existing system, reliance on traditional values, guardianship and control over citizens by the state;

  liberal: personal freedom as the highest value, non-interference of the state in economic life, equality only before the law;

  social democratic: protection of the interests of working people, social justice, strong social policy of the state;

  communist: destruction of private property, building a classless society;

  nationalist: priority of the interests of the nation over the interests of the individual;

  clerical: increasing the role of the church in governing society.

on participation in the exercise of power - ruling and opposition;

by the nature of membership - personnel and mass;

• personnel: few in number, no fixed membership or mandatory membership fees, activities intensify during elections;

  massive: carry out systematic work with their supporters and to attract new members, an extensive organizational structure and party apparatus, fixed membership, membership fees.

on the scale of the political spectrum - left, center, right;

according to the method of activity - reformist, revolutionary;

by social base - workers, bourgeois, peasants, etc.;

in relation to the law - legal and illegal.

Functions of a political party:

the struggle for power in the state and influence on state policy;

participation in the exercise of power;

participation in the formation of power;

expression of interests of social groups;

political education;

training of politicians.

Party system - a set of parties participating in the formation of legislative and executive structures authorities.

Types of party systems: one-party, two-party, multi-party

Political movement - voluntary formation that arises as a result of the free and conscious desire of citizens to unite on the basis of common interests

Features political movement

He strives not to achieve power, but to influence power in the direction he needs.

Has voluntary membership or does not have clear, formal procedures associated with membership at all.

It does not have a strict hierarchy, that is, a clear distribution between the center and the periphery is not found in it.

Focuses on expressing the private interests of a particular group of people.

Depends more on its leader and his popularity than on the clarity of program settings

Mass media

Mass media – these are organizations (publishing houses, television and radio companies, etc.), the main goals of which are the collection, processing and open public transmission of various information to the general public using special technical means.

printed and online publications, television and radio channels, television, radio, video or newsreel programs and other forms of periodic dissemination of mass information under a permanent name.

Media functions:

informational;

expression of public interests;

formation of public opinion;

education and socialization of citizens;

exercising public control over government actions;

association of citizens.

The main consequences of the emergence of the media in politics

Direct communication of political leaders with the population  unnecessary participation of political parties in this process  loss of the importance of parties in the political system.

The population and political elite participate in politics regardless of location.

The pervasive influence of power in all spheres of social life (totalitarianism), the creation of socio-political myths, and mass manipulation of public consciousness are possible.

Problem solving

Select the correct judgments about the political elite and write down the numbers under which they are indicated.

1) At the state level, the political elite concentrates in its hands the highest power and management powers in society.

2) The political elite is a self-regulating community that can selectively admit representatives of other strata into its midst.

3) Depending on ideology, progressive and regressive types of political elite are distinguished.

4) The political elite can mobilize citizens and take control of public institutions.

5) The activities of political elites are directly determined only by the interests of the population.

A new political organization has appeared in state Z. Which of the following facts serve as evidence that it is a political party? Write down the numbers under which they are indicated.

1) development of a certain ideology

2) newspaper publication

3) use of the Internet to generate mass support

4) fundraising for charitable purposes

5) adoption of the charter and program

6) active participation of the organization in parliamentary elections

Find the functions of a political party in a democratic society from the list below. Write down the numbers under which they are indicated.

1) expression of citizens’ opinions on issues public life

2) participation in legal proceedings

3) management of ministries and departments

4) nomination of candidates for elections to local government bodies

5) political education citizens

6) regulation of legal relations

Find in the list below the types of political parties formed on the basis of methods of political struggle, and write down the numbers under which they are indicated.

1) reform parties

2) legal parties

3) regional parties

4) personnel parties

5) revolutionary parties

6) ruling parties

A political party is registered in state Z. It has a central body and regional branches. The program of the political party states: “The goal of our activities is to build a socially homogeneous classless society in which the principle of distribution of goods according to needs would be implemented.”

Which of the following characterizes such a political party for various reasons? Write down the numbers under which the correct characteristics are indicated.

1) legal

2) liberal

3) communist

4) personnel

5) massive

6) conservative

Practice solving problems in the second part of the Unified State Exam

Tasks 21–24

IN modern science political parties are defined as organizations that seek the election or promotion of their leaders to government posts. Parties usually have a formalized structure with leaders, headquarters, staff, statutory and program documents. They formally present their candidates to the voters of their respective constituencies, campaign for their election and win over the masses. The names of the parties may not reflect their character, and sometimes they are even mutually exclusive.

Citizens unite into a party not for cultural or educational purposes, not because of the desire to make a profit (although the entry of some citizens into the ruling party may pursue the goals of material well-being), but on the basis of unity of views and political goals, a common worldview.

Laws on political parties contain rules on the finances and property of parties. First, they establish sources of financing: contributions, income from property, donations, loans.

Secondly, parties are required to keep records of all incoming contributions and donations, income and expenses. Thirdly, the laws of many countries provide for state financial support for election campaigns conducted by parties. For this purpose, funds are allocated from the state budget. Such funding can be provided to all parties or only to parties that receive a percentage of the votes in the elections...

From point of view organizational structure It is customary to distinguish between cadre and mass parties... From the point of view of the peculiarities of the legal situation, legal and illegal parties are distinguished. Legal parties are parties operating on legally. A party becomes illegal if it is prohibited by law or a court decision, but continues its activities underground.

(N. Zimina)

22. What requirements does the legislation impose on the finances and property of parties (based on the text, formulate two requirements)? Using social science knowledge, provide an explanation for the need for such legislative regulation.

23. What three functions of political parties are mentioned in the text? Name and illustrate with examples any two other functions of political parties in public life.

24. The author writes that the laws of many countries provide for state financial support for election campaigns conducted by political parties. Using social science knowledge and facts of public life, make three assumptions about how such practices protect the rights and freedoms of citizens.

Task 26

Using the example(s) of public life in modern Russia, reveal any three functions of political parties in the political system of society.

Give three examples illustrating the activities of the media (“the fourth estate”) in the political life of a modern democratic society.

Task 27

In the political scientist’s lecture, the idea was expressed that political parties act as a link between civil society and the state. Give three arguments to support this opinion.

Task 28

You are instructed to prepare a detailed answer on the topic “Political elite in the life of society.” Make a plan according to which you will cover this topic. The plan must contain at least three points, of which two or more are detailed in subparagraphs.

Task 29

Reveal the meaning of the statement in the form of a mini-essay, identifying, if necessary, different aspects of the problem posed by the author (the topic raised). When expressing your thoughts about the raised problem (designated topic), when arguing your point of view, use knowledge received while studying a social studies course, corresponding concepts, and data social life and personal life experience. (Give at least two examples from different sources for factual argumentation.)

“All non-partisanship is artificial. A person is always partisan and deeply right in this. Non-partisanship itself is partisan.” (G.K. Lichtenberg)

“Equality of rights does not lie in the fact that everyone enjoys them, but in the fact that they are granted to everyone.” (Seneca)

“Information is perceived as a tool for political influence.” (Yu. Kantor)

Tasks on the topic for independent solution

Exercise 1

In the row below, find a concept that is generalizing for all other concepts presented. Write down this phrase (without spaces between words or any punctuation marks).

President of the country, member of parliament, political elite, regional governor, party leader.

Task 2

Select the correct judgments about the political elite and write down the numbers under which they are indicated (in ascending order of numbers, without spaces or any punctuation marks).

1) The political elite is a group of people professionally engaged in activities in the sphere of power and government.

2) The political elite includes, first of all, the most authoritative representatives of economic circles, the humanitarian and technical intelligentsia.

3) The formation and renewal of political elites is facilitated by the importance and prestige of managerial work.

4) The formation and renewal of political elites is facilitated by the opportunity to obtain various privileges.

5) Replenishment or change in the composition of the political elite depends only on the desire of the elite groups themselves.

Task 3

Find the media in the list below and write down the numbers under which they are listed (in ascending order of numbers, without spaces or any punctuation marks).

1) ORT TV channel

2) radio station “Hit-FM”

3) bestselling detective novel

4) newspaper “Moskovsky Komsomolets”

5) scientific notes of a state university

Depending on the typology criterion, various types of elites .

Selection method

Open (entrepreneurial) elite characterized by the fact that during selection into it there are a small number of formal restrictions on access to the elite, the paramount importance of a person’s personal qualities. The selection mechanism is elections that involve competition. This type of elite provides a high degree of circulation (the opportunity for representatives of different social strata to enter the elite), and an influx of people with new ideas into the elite. However, there is a low degree of continuity in policy making.

Closed elite (guilds) It is characterized by the fact that when selecting for it, there are a large number of formal requirements; personal loyalty to management and readiness to unquestioningly carry out orders are assumed. The selection mechanism is purpose. This type of elite ensures a high degree of continuity in policy-making, balanced decisions, and a low degree of internal conflicts. But at the same time, the elite is deprived of the influx of people with initiative, which leads to its inertia, degradation, and degeneration. The degree of circulation is low.

A striking example of a closed type of elite was the Soviet political leadership. Entry into its composition was carried out on the basis of such formal requirements as party membership, length of service, social origin, age, personal devotion and political loyalty. In this case, the professional qualities of the person were of secondary importance.

Occupation

Political elite provides leadership in the field of development and implementation political decisions. Represented by political leaders, heads of influential political parties and movements.

Economic elite includes large owners, bankers, heads of industrial and financial groups, owners of large capital. Manages the economic sphere of society. In real life, it is often difficult to clearly draw a line between political and political groups. economic elite.

Military elite represented by the country's highest generals, it exercises professional leadership in the defense sector.

Bureaucratic elite represented by the highest tier of civil servants. Manages the organization of national implementation of adopted political decisions.

Cultural and information elite represented by major figures of science and culture, prominent journalists, prominent church hierarchs, i.e. those who shape public opinion. The main function of this group is the formation of public opinion favorable to the elite, ideological justification for the fact of the dominance of this elite and the decisions it makes.

Place in the political system

Ruling elite – those groups and politicians who actually make important decisions (or influence their adoption).

Opposition elite (counter-elite ) – those groups and politicians who seek to take the position of the ruling elite and replace it in power with the support of the majority of non-elite groups.

The nature of intra-elite relations

United Elite has a high degree of integration and is sufficiently united. There is a low degree of intergroup competition in it; conflicts are not irreconcilable. Wherein ideologically united elites They form a single (and only) ideology and are intolerant of dissent within their ranks. Consensually united elites develop agreement on the basic values, goals and methods of the policies being pursued, and on the rules of political competition. In the USA and Germany, respectively, 2/3 and ¾ of senior officials regularly enter into business and personal contacts with each other and with members of the representative government, which is a manifestation of a fairly high degree of elite unity.

Disconnected Elite has a low degree of integration. In it, there is an intense struggle between various groups for the mastery of strategic positions, for areas of control and distribution of resources. Characterized by a high degree of competition, the use of unauthorized methods of struggle, up to and including gross compromise of rivals. In England and Holland, respectively, only 16 and 5% of senior officials regularly communicate both with each other and with representatives of the legislative branch, which is a manifestation of the low degree of unity of the elite.

Degree of representativeness

Highly representative elites can express the interests of many segments of society. Elites with a low degree of representation As a rule, they express the interests of a limited number of segments of society. With the help of typology, one can more clearly imagine the specifics of any particular elite and the processes of its transformation.

The study of the modern political elite of any society for a deeper understanding of its specifics should also be based on historical experience. Thus, for a more complete knowledge of the characteristics of the modern Russian ruling elite, it is advisable to turn to the study of the country’s political past. IN pre-revolutionary Russia The process of formation of the elite and counter-elite took place in the absence of democratic freedoms in society. The official political elite consisted entirely of officials, and the class principle played an important role in the formation of its structure. The counter-elite was formed through the creation of illegal parties. Their social base consisted of various layers of the intelligentsia. After the revolution of 1917, the basis of the elite was the “proletarian” bureaucracy; during the years of Soviet power, the elite was formed according to the classless nomenklatura principle.

Elite structure. Research by sociologists and political scientists has shown that elites can differ in terms of their structure. Based on functional characteristics, several intra-elite groups are distinguished within the elite: political, economic, cultural and information elite. The composition of each of them is determined by its functions. So, political elite constitute groups and political leaders who carry out power decisions. Based on the scope of power, the following types of political elite are distinguished: higher, secondary and administrative. The highest political elite includes leaders who occupy strategic positions in the system of making the most important decisions. This type of elite includes the president and his entourage, government leaders, members of the highest judicial authorities, leaders of the most influential parties, Speaker of Parliament and heads of the largest parliamentary factions. The middle elite includes those who hold positions in elected government bodies: deputies, representatives of regional elites (governors, mayors), leaders of political parties and movements. The administrative elite includes members of the government, as well as the highest level of civil servants. Economic elite consists of the richest members of society - large owners, bankers, heads of financial and industrial groups, heads of leading corporations, owners of large capital. The interests of the economic elite directly or indirectly influence the nature of decisions made by the political elite. Cultural and information elite make up prominent figures science, culture, prominent journalists influencing the formation of public opinion, the highest hierarchs of the church. The main function of this elite group is the formation of public opinion favorable to the elite, ideological justification for the fact of the dominance of this elite, as well as the decisions it makes.

According to the intensity of circulation and methods of recruitment stand out open and closed elites. The open elite is characterized by a fairly dynamic circulation; it is characterized by openness, expressed in formally equal opportunities for members of non-elite groups to gain access to it. There are relatively few formal restrictions on access to the elite. Selection for the elite is carried out on the basis of intense competition, in which personal qualities are of great importance: energy, the ability to find and organize support for oneself, the ability to mobilize available resources. The open elite is replenished with new leaders who are bearers of new ideas and values. Therefore, it demonstrates a capacity for social innovation and reform. Her positive features are sensitivity to social moods and needs, flexibility and ample opportunities to quickly adapt to changing social conditions and respond to social changes. However, it has disadvantages: a tendency to populist and ill-considered decisions, an average or low degree of continuity in policy-making. Unlike the open elite, the closed elite is characterized by slow circulation, expressed in unequal opportunities for representatives of non-elite groups to gain access to it. First of all, formal indicators influence selection into the elite: age, length of service, party affiliation, affiliation with a particular corporation. The most important condition, influencing the selection into the elite is personal devotion to leadership and willingness to unquestioningly carry out orders. Ultimately, the elite strives for self-reproduction, which; in turn, dooms it to degeneration and degradation. Its positive features are: a high degree of continuity in policy development, balanced decisions, and a low probability of internal conflicts. The disadvantages of this type of elite include inertia, poor ability to respond to ongoing social changes, and a tendency towards casteism.

J. Higley and J. Pakulski distinguish four types of elites according to two criteria:

Differentiation of elites, which manifests itself in the functional division of segments of the elite, each of which has its own boundaries, organizations, formal and informal rules of behavior and power hierarchy;

The unity of the elite, which is manifested in the degree of its integration.

Consensus Elite characterized by agreement among elite groups regarding basic values, rules of political competition and procedures for the exercise of power, as well as the goals and methods of policies. For ideological elite characterized by unification on the basis of a single (and only) ideology, intolerance to any dissent. Fragmented Elite characterized by a low degree of intra-elite integration and the segmentary nature of intra-elite relations. To the divided elite There is an intense struggle between intra-elite groups for the acquisition of strategic positions, for areas of control and distribution of resources. J. Higley and J. Pakulski identify four models of elite circulation.

Classic circulation - this is the type of circulation that Mosca and Pareto associated with stable and efficient elite rule. The level of circulation is extensive and socially deep (covers many layers of the elite - A. X.). This type is characterized by the evolutionary nature of elite renewal. It leads to the emergence and existence of a consensus elite. The gradual and peaceful nature of elite renewal is based on negotiations and cooperation between ascending and descending groups. Classical circulation, in short, is a process of gradual changes in the elite.

Replacement circulation , like classical circulation, is characterized by breadth and depth, but is more dynamic and carried out in a forced manner. A typical case is the overthrow of the previous elite and the formation of a new one as a result of a revolution. In this case, the circulation is determined by the struggle between the elite of the old regime and the counter-elite, which seizes power and removes from it all those who previously dominated. This type of circulation gives rise to an ideological elite and a totalitarian regime.

Reproductive circulation - limited and superficial and gradual and evolutionary. An elite group abandons old doctrinal positions or significantly changes them in order to remain in power. Thanks to these maneuvers, most members of the elite manage to maintain power and status. Although there are no major changes, the social profile of the elite is changing. Some fragmentation of the elite is possible. This type of elite circulation is typical for some former republics of the USSR - now members of the CIS - Belarus, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, etc. Reproductive circulation is most often formed when the disintegration of the ideological elite occurs and its members form the “party of power”, occupying key positions in the economy and other spheres of public life separate from the state. Quasi-replacement circulation characterized by the least limited changes in the elite, but their sudden and forced nature. There is a division of elites, which can result in palace coups in which political cliques change places. Their actions, despite the diversity of leadership styles, do not lead to fundamental changes in the nature of politics. So the division of the elite does not lead to serious changes.