Political and military elites: interaction and mechanisms of influence

Abstract

Introduction. The article is devoted to the analysis of the structure, mechanisms of interaction and mutual influence of the political and military elite in the context of various political conjunctures, both non-conventional and conventional. The author systematically analyzes historical and theoretical approaches to the study of elites, in particular the concepts of G. Mosca, V. Pareto, A.V. Duk and C. Mills. Special attention is paid to the processes of transformation of the balance of power between the political and military elites, depending on foreign policy threats, domestic political crises and stable periods of state development. Purpose. The author sets the following tasks: to investigate the mechanisms of relationships and interactions between the political and military elites, to identify their structural features, models of interaction, and to determine the influence of the political situation on the redistribution of power between these elite groups. Methods. The methodological basis of the research was made up of comparative historical analysis, institutional and structural-functional approaches, as well as elements of political sociology and stratification analysis. Results. The study shows that the dominance of an elite group is determined by the specifics of the political situation. In conditions of war and external threats, the military elite comes to the fore, acquiring a leading role in public administration. In revolutionary periods, it can either support the current regime or become a force to overthrow it. In conditions of stable political development, the political elite dominates, and military structures are subordinated to civilian control. The models of interaction between political and military elites are revealed: segmented, integration and hybrid. Conclusions. The military and political elites form a complex system of interdependencies and interactions, in which the key role is played by the political situation, the political regime and the features of the social structure of a particular state. Their interaction can range from autonomy to almost complete consolidation, depending on the national security strategy, institutional structure and social conditions. Democratic systems presuppose strict civilian control over the military elite, while in authoritarian regimes it is possible to fully integrate the military into the system of state power. Studying this process allows for a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of elite formation and their impact on the stability of political systems.