Distant elites

Fern - this is how many people, particularly East Germans and individuals with a migration background, perceive the elites in the Federal Republic of Germany. The contributions in this volume examine from a social science perspective whether this widespread impression is accurate and why it exists. The analyses highlight, on one hand, the sectors of society where East Germans and people with a migration background are underrepresented and the reasons for this. On the other hand, it discusses the implications for political attitudes and why this is a societal problem. To this end, more than 2,800 resumes of holders of important leadership positions were collected, along with interviews with elite members and a representative population survey. The volume concludes with recommendations for action regarding the societal and political handling of the underrepresentation of these, as well as other disadvantaged population groups.