Political elites in Western states: Recruitment principles and areas of responsibility

Today, political elites influence the global transformation processes that are taking place in the current environment. The elite shapes the vector of the state development strategy and actualizes the formation of resonant decisions. This article aims to analyze the principles of political elite recruitment and identify areas of responsibility in the example of Western countries. The research was carried out using general scientific methods, in particular, analysis, synthesis, comparison, abstraction, specification, and generalization. The study analyzes the main factors of elite recruitment and reveals the systems of its formation and the allocation of responsibilities. The authors have determined that the choice of the elite in the political sphere is an essential feature of state-building. It represents the nature of power, its priorities, and its interaction with society. In addition, the specific features of the process of forming the political elite of Western countries are outlined, and the main issues of this process are highlighted. It is established that the process of developing a political elite in a particular country is marked by certain features that are formed under the influence of political, social, economic, and cultural factors. The authors have proved that the distribution of responsibilities of the political elite is considered to be a controversial issue. Therefore, its solution should be aimed at leveling the imbalance between the elite stratum of society and its majority to optimize socio-economic development. The practical significance of the proposed theoretical research findings is based on the allocation of practical aspects of optimizing the process of recruiting the political elite. The main basis of this process is identified by its compliance with moral and ethical principles and stimulation of the harmonious development of the state.