Investigating the Small World in Madagascar: The Political Elites at the Core

Elites are central to institutions and organisations, given that they are shaped and controlled by individuals and social groups or coalitions whose most influential players are elites. Based on a unique and representative survey of hyper-elites in Madagascar, this article explores the specificity of political elite trajectories and investigates their interconnections with other elite segments. First, on the methodological front, the challenges raised by elite surveys and the methods and approaches used to meet them are presented. How can the elites be identified? How can they be investigated? How can we measure their power? Second, on the analytical front, the article shows that political elites constitute a relatively closed and highly integrated world. They occupy a central position in the global network of elites, which enables them to play a necessary bridging role between elites occupying other positions of power and control much of what circulates within elite spheres.