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Dimitri: I am not certain of your definition of "poltical entrepreneur"
but for background on the relevance of network models for politicians, you
must see Adrian Mayer's "The significance of quasi-groups in the study of
complex societies." (In, Michael Banton (ed.), 1966, The social anthropology
of complex societies. ASA Monograph No. 4, NewYork: Praeger, London:
Tavistock.).
I realize that this is an old (1966) study but it is a good one and should
not be ignored. Mayer reports on an analysis of electoral processes in the
Dewas District of Madhya Pradesh, that shows how the pattern of a political
candidate's linkages based on a variety of criteria is utilized to generate
support among or to apply pressure to the various sections of the electorate
necessary for success. Mayer is able to analyze different election
strategies, showing that action sets of certain form are appropriate to
campaigns of a certain type.
--Alvin Wolfe
-----Original Message-----
From: Christopoulos, Dc [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Wednesday, February 18, 2004 8:15 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: political entrepreneurs
***** To join INSNA, visit http://www.sfu.ca/~insna/ *****
Hi
I am preparing a paper for the next SUNBELT on 'Network Dependence of
Political Entrepreneurs' (abstract attached). I employ literature from
political science and political economics but have so far located no direct
or in-direct references in SNA literature.
Any suggestions?
All the best
Dimitris
************************************************************************
Network Dependence of Political Entrepreneurs
FIRST DRAFT
Comments most welcome
Dr Dimitrios C Christopoulos
Senior Lecturer
Faculty of Economics and Social Science,
University of the West of England - Bristol,
Coldharbour Lane,
Bristol BS16 1QY
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
Abstract
Political entrepreneurs are identified by personal resources of the
classical entrepreneurial type, i.e. intellectual ability, good knowledge of
their domain, team building skills, reputation, extensive networks,
strategic vision and tenacity. They differ from classical expositions of
entrepreneurship in that there is no assumption of exceptional leadership or
indeed uniqueness of them as actors. This 'non-uniqueness' is significant
because it implies that the political entrepreneur type is more condition
dependent than classic assumptions of entrepreneurship imply. Their personal
and professional networks provide the context within which they thrive.
Management of their network as a resource is vital to their success. Most
significantly, as all entrepreneurial activity bears risks, networks are
employed to mitigate them. This in turn facilitates the creation of
coalition support mechanisms for innovative actors. Entrepreneurial risk is
therefore diminished to the degree actors can draw support from their
network. Accepting the premise that political entrepreneurs are network
dependent implies that their ability for
political action is network contingent as well. I will examine here a
number of assumptions as they relate to the effectiveness of political
entrepreneurs as policy innovators. I focus on assumptions of network
reach, centrality, Bonacich power and value concordance.
----------------------------------------
Dr Dimitrios C . Christopoulos
Senior Lecturer and Faculty Research Fellow
Faculty of Economics and Social Science
University of the West of England
Coldharbour Lane
Bristol BS16 1 QY
e.mail : [log in to unmask]
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