Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Surveying and Observing Political Elites

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
The Palgrave Handbook of Political Elites

Abstract

Surveys and observation are two strategies of inquiry that gather rich amounts of data about political elites’ opinions, attitudes, and behavior. These research techniques have experienced advances benefitting from the development of the Internet and new technological tools. Survey research has evolved from country studies to comparative research with greater amounts of units and cases. However, such studies face important challenges regarding questionnaire design, sampling, interviewing, and data analysis. In particular, problems of representativity and lack of control may threaten comparative analysis. On their side, observation techniques raise the question of accessibility, of potential imbalance between investigators and elites but also, paradoxically, risks of excessive empathy between observer and observed. Wealth of information is a leading hallmark of qualitative research and can give rise to “thick” descriptions and interpretations. Such a contextual “richness,” which provides greater texture and nuance, is highly desirable when the aim is to produce monographic studies. However, it is somewhat more problematic where theoretical ambitions or even comparisons are involved. This chapter offers an overview of both techniques in terms of recent contributions and methodological issues, and suggests how to address these challenges in elite research.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 259.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 329.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Abbink, J., & Salverda, T. (Eds.). (2013). The Anthropology of Elites: Power, Culture and the Complexity of Distinction. Basingstoke/New York: Palgrave Macmillan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Abélès, M. (1992). La vie quotidienne au parlement européen. Paris: Hachette.

    Google Scholar 

  • Abélès, M. (2000). Un ethnologue à l’Assemblée. Paris: Odile Jacob.

    Google Scholar 

  • Aberbach, J. D., Putnam, R. D., & Rockman, B. (1981). Bureaucrats and Politicians in Western Democracies. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Aberbach, J. D., Rockman, B., & Bert, A. (2002). Conducting and Coding Elite Interviews. Political Science and Politics, 35(4), 673–676.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aldridge, A., & Levine, K. (2001). Surveying the Social World. Principles and Practice in Survey Research. Buckingham: Open University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Andreadis, I., Ruth, S. P., & Stavrakakis, Y. (2016). Using Surveys to Measure the Populist Attitudes of Political Elites. Paper presented at the Team Populism Conference, Provo.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bäck, H., Magnier, A., & Heinelt, H. (Eds.). (2006). The European Mayor. Political Leaders in the Changing Context of Local Democracy. Wiesbaden: VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bailer, S. (2014). Interviews and Surveys in Legislative Research. In S. Martin, T. Saalfeld, & K. W. Strøm (Eds.), The Oxford Handbook of Legislative Studies (pp. 167–193). Oxford: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barragán, M. (2015). El estudio de las élites parlamentarias en América Latina: pasado, presente y futuro. Revista Andina de Estudios Políticos, 5(2), 4–30.

    Google Scholar 

  • Best, H., & Becker, U. (Eds.). (1997). Elites in Transition. Elite Research in Central and Eastern Europe. Opladen: Leske + Budrich.

    Google Scholar 

  • Best, H., Lengyel, G., & Verzichelli, L. (Eds.). (2012). The Europe of Elites: A Study into the Europeanness of Europe’s Political and Economic Elites. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blondel, J., & Müller-Rommel, F. (Eds.). (1993). Governing Together: The Extent and Limits of Joint Decisión-Making in Western Europe Cabinets. London: Macmillan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bolognesi, B., & Perissinotto, R. (2015). O uso do survey no estudo do recrutamento político: 33 limites e vantagens. In R. Perissinotto & A. Codato (Eds.), Como estudar elites. Curitiba: UFPR.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, S. (Ed.). (1999). L’art d’interviewer les dirigeants. Paris: Presses Universitaires de France.

    Google Scholar 

  • Converse, P. E., & Pierce, R. (1986). Political Representation in France. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Cotta, M. (2014). Facing the Crisis: The European Elite System’s Changing Geometry. In H. Best & J. Higley (Eds.), Political Elites in the Transatlantic Crisis. London: Palgrave Macmillan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cotta, M., Isernia, P., & Bellucci, P. (2007). IntUne Mass Survey Wave 1. Ann Arbor: Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cotta, M., Isernia, P., & Bellucci, P. (2009). IntUne Mass Survey Wave 2. Ann Arbor: Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research.

    Google Scholar 

  • Crewe, E. (2005). Lords of Parliament: Manners, Rituals and Politics. Manchester: Manchester University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Crewe, E. (2015). The House of Commons: An Anthropology of MPs at Work. London: Bloomsbury.

    Google Scholar 

  • Daloz, J. P. (2011). Thick Description. In B. Badie, D. Berg-Schlosser, & L. Morlino (Eds.), International Encyclopædia of Political Science (Vol. 8). London: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • De Vaus, D. A. (2002). Surveys in Social Research. Crows Nest: Allen & Unwin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Deschouwer, K., & Depauw, S. (Eds.). (2014). Representing the People: A Survey among Members of Statewide and Substate Parliaments. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dexter, L. A. (2006). Elite and Specialized Interviewing. Colchester: ECPR Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dolný, B., & Baboš, P. (2015). Voter–Representative Congruence in Europe: A Loss of Institutional Influence? West European Politics, 28(6), 1274–1304.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Egner, B., Sweeting, D., & Klok, P. J. (Eds.). (2013). Local Councillors in Europe. New York: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Essaiason, P., & Holmberg, S. (1996). Representation from above: Members of Parliament and Representative Democracy in Sweden. Aldershot: Dartmouth.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fenno, R. F. (2003). Home Style: House Members in Their Districts. New York: Longman.

    Google Scholar 

  • García, F., & Mateos, A. (2001). Elites Parlamentarias en América Latina. Revista Española de Ciencia Política, 5, 173–194.

    Google Scholar 

  • Geertz, C. (1973). The Interpretation of Cultures: Selected Essays. New York: Basic Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harden, J. J. (2013). Multidimensional Responsiveness: The Determinants of Legislators’ Representational Priorities. Legislative Studies Quarterly, 38(2), 155–184.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Heinelt, H. (Ed.). (2015). The Changing Context of Local Democracy. Role Perception and Behaviour of Municipal Councillors. London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hertz, R., & Imber, J. B. (Eds.). (1995). Studying Elites Using Qualitative Methods. Thousand Oaks: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Higley, J., Deacon, D., & Smart, D. (1975). Elites in Australia. London: Routledge & Kegan Paul.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoffmann-Lange, U. (1992). Eliten, Macht und Konflikt in der Bundesrepublik [Elites, Power and Conflict in the Federal Republic of Germany]. Opladen: Leske + Budrich.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoffmann-Lange, U. (2007). Methods of Elite Research. In R. J. Dalton & H. D. Klingemann (Eds.), The Oxford Handbook of Political Behavior. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoffmann-Lange, U. (2008). Studying Elite vs Mass Opinion. In W. Donsbach & M. W. Traugott (Eds.), The Sage Handbook of Public Opinion Research. Los Angeles: Sage Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jackson, J. S., III, Brown, B. L., & Bositis, D. (1982). Herbert McClosky and Friends Revisited. 1980 Democratic and Republican Party Elites Compared to the Mass Public. American Politics Quarterly, 10(2), 158–180.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jacob, B. M., & Jacob, P. E. (1977). Leaders’ Values and Community Activeness: The International Study of Values in Politics. In A. Szalai & R. Petrella (Eds.), Cross-National Comparative Survey Research: Theory and Practice. Oxford: Pergamon Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jerez Mir, M., Dato, J. R., & García, R. V. (Eds.). (2016). Iberian Elites and the EU: Perceptions of European Integration among Political and Socio-Economic Elites in Portugal and Spain. Granada: Universidad de Granada.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnston, R. (2008). Survey Methodology. In J. M. Box-Steffensmeier, H. E. Brady, & D. Collier (Eds.), Oxford Handbook of Political Methodology. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kim, C., Barkan, J. D., Turan, I., & Jewell, M. E. (1984). The Legislative Connection: The Politics of Representation in Kenya, Korea, and Turkey. Durham: Duke University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kitschelt, H., Mansfeldova, Z., Markowski, R., & Toka, G. (1999). Post-Communist Party Systems: Competition, Representation, and Inter-Party Cooperation. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Kotzé, H., & Steenkamp, C. L. (2009). Values and Democracy in South Africa: Comparing Elite and Public Values. Johannesburg: Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kotzé, H., & Steyn, C. (2003). African Elite Perspectives: AU and NEPAD. A Comparative Study across Seven African Countries. Johannesburg: Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung.

    Google Scholar 

  • Krook, M. L. (2010). Why Are Fewer Women than Men Elected? Gender and the Dynamics of Candidate Selection. Political Studies, 8(2), 155–168.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lavrakas, P. J. (Ed.). (2008). Encyclopedia of Survey Research Methods. London: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lawless, J. L. (2011). Becoming a Candidate Political Ambition and the Decision to Run for Office. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Lengyel, G., & Jahr, S. (2012). Surveying Elites: Information on the Study Design and Field Report of the IntUne Elite Survey. In H. Best, G. Lengyel, & L. Verzichelli (Eds.), The Europe of Elites: A Study into the Europeanness of Europe’s Political and Economic Elites. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lerner, D., & Gorden, M. (1969). Euroatlantica: Changing Perspectives of the European Elites. Cambridge: MIT Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lerner, R., Nagai, A., & Rothman, S. (Eds.). (1996). American Elites. New Haven: Yale University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maestas, C. D., Fulton, S., Maisel, L. S., & Stone, W. J. (2006). When to Risk It? Institutions, Ambitions, and the Decision to Run for the U.S. House. American Political Science Review, 100(2), 195–208.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marcus, G. E. (Ed.). (1983). Elites: Ethnographic Issues. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • McClosky, H., & Brill, A. (1983). Dimensions of Tolerance. New York: Russell Sage Foundation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mikecz, R. (2012). Interviewing Elites: Addressing Methodological Issues. Qualitative Inquiry, 18(6), 482–493.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moyser, G., & Wagstaffe, M. (Eds.). (1987). Research Methods for Elite Studies. London: Allen & Win.

    Google Scholar 

  • Norris, P. (Ed.). (1997). Passages to Power: Legislative Recruitment in Advanced Democracies. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Norris, P., & Lovenduski, J. (1995). Political Recruitment: Gender, Race and Class in the British Parliament. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pina-Cabral, J. d., & de Lima, A. P. (Eds.). (2000). Elites: Choice, Leadership and Succession. Oxford: Berg Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Przeworski, A., & Teune, H. (1970). The Logic of Comparative Social Inquiry. New York: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Putnam, R. D. (1976). The Comparative Study of Political Elites. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice-Hall.

    Google Scholar 

  • Real-Dato, J. (2015). Perceptions of the Role of European Union Institutions in the Management of the Eurozone Crisis and Its Consequences: The View from the Perspective of Domestic Political Elites. Paper presented at the Council for European Studies Conference, Paris.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reif, K., Cayrol, R., & Niedermayer, O. (1980). National Political Parties’ Middle Level Elites and European Integration. European Journal of Political Research, 8(1), 91–112.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rhodes, R. A. W., ‘t Hart, P., & Noordegraaf, M. (Eds.). (2007). Observing Government Elites – Up Close and Personal. Basingstoke/New York: Palgrave Macmillan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ruostetsaari, I. (2015). Elite Recruitment and Coherence of the Inner Core of Power in Finland. Changing Patterns during the Economic Crisis of 1991–2011. London: Lexington Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Saiegh, S. M. (2009). Recovering a Basic Space from Elite Surveys: Evidence from Latin America. Legislative Studies Quarterly, 34(1), 117–145.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sanbonmatsu, K. (2006). The Legislative Party and Candidate Recruitment in the American States. Party Politics, 12(2), 233–256.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sanders, D., Magalhaes, P., & Toka, G. (2012). Citizens and the European Polity. Mass Attitudes towards the European and National Polities. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Savage, M., & Williams, K. (2008). Elites: Remembered in Capitalism and Forgotten by Social Sciences. In M. Savage & K. Williams (Eds.), Remembering elites. London: Wiley-Blackwell.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shore, C., & Nugent, S. (Eds.). (2002). Elite Cultures: Anthropological Perspectives. London: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Steen, A. (2003). Political Elites and the New Russia: The Power Basis of Yeltsin’s and Putin’s Regimes. London: Routledge.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Stokman, F. N., & Thomson, R. (Eds.). (2004). Special Issue: Winners and Losers of EU Decision-Making. European Union Politics, 5(1), 5–23.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stolz, K. (2001). The Political Class and Regional Institution-Building: A Conceptual Framework. Regional and Federal Studies, 11(1), 80–100.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Szücs, S., & Strömberg, L. (Eds.). (2006). Local Elites, Political Capital and Democratic Development Governing Leaders in Seven European Countries. Wiesbaden: VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaften.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tansey, O. (2007). Process Tracing and Elite Interviewing: A Case for Non-probability Sampling. PS: Political Science and Politics, 40(4), 765–772.

    Google Scholar 

  • Thomson, R. (2006). Comparison of Expert Judgements with Each Other and with Information from Council Documentation. In R. Thomson, F. N. Stokman, C. H. Achen, & T. König (Eds.), The European Union Decides. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Thomson, R., Arregui, J., Leuffen, D., Costello, R., Cross, J., Hertz, R., & Jensen, T. (2012). A New Dataset on Decision-Making in the European Union before and after the 2004 and 2007 Enlargements (DEUII). Journal of European Public Policy, 19(4), 604–622.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vogel, L., & Rodríguez-Teruel, J. (2016). Staying on Course in Turbulent Times: National Political Elites and the Crisis of European Integration. Historical Social Research, 41(4), 7–37.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weatherford, J. M. (1985 [1981]). Tribes on the Hill: The U.S. Congress Rituals and Realities. New York: Rawson-Wade.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weaver, R. A., & Glasser, T. L. (1984). Survey Research for Legislative Relations. Public Relations Review, 10(2), 39–48.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain

    Juan Rodríguez-Teruel

  2. CNRS, SAGE, Strasbourg, France

    Jean-Pascal Daloz

Authors
  1. Juan Rodríguez-Teruel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jean-Pascal Daloz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Friedrich-Schiller-University, Jena, Germany

    Heinrich Best

  2. University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA

    John Higley

Copyright information

© 2018 The Author(s)

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Rodríguez-Teruel, J., Daloz, JP. (2018). Surveying and Observing Political Elites. In: Best, H., Higley, J. (eds) The Palgrave Handbook of Political Elites. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-51904-7_9

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation