Elitesfracties

Elitesfracties is a Dutch term used in political science to describe fractures within the political or economic elite that affect policy formation and party organization. The concept refers to situations in which factions within the elite—such as party leadership, parliamentary caucuses, or influential interest networks—disagree over strategy, priorities, or ideology to the extent that internal cohesion is compromised. It is a descriptive term rather than a formal institution, used to analyze how elite divisions influence political dynamics in multiparty systems.

Etymology and usage: The term combines elite with fracties (factions) and appears in academic discussions of governance and party politics. It is applied to explain why parties split, why coalitions realign, or why policy platforms shift when elite groups reorganize.

Causes and mechanisms: Causes include ideological divergence within the elite, competition for influence, generational change, strategic disagreements about electoral or policy approaches, and external shocks that expose fault lines. Mechanisms include public leadership splits, formation of breakaway caucuses, shifts in alliance patterns, and changes in resource distribution and patronage.

Implications: Consequences can include policy volatility, coalition instability, and realignment of political actors. They can also affect governance performance and public trust. The term is used descriptively to understand changes in party dynamics rather than to assign blame to any single actor.